Progress

A series of recent studies have revealed similarities in the characteristics of non-infectious neurodegenerative diseases and prionopathies. Frost and Diamond consider what these findings may tell us about disease pathogenesis and treatment strategies.

Multiple roles for microRNA-mediated regulation of mRNA translation in the nervous system have emerged in recent years. Dawson and colleagues discuss the mechanisms by which microRNAs might influence neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis and outline key questions for future research.

WNTs are largely thought of as regulators of cell fate but recent studies highlight their involvement in synaptic development. Korkut and Budnik discuss emerging data on the effects of WNT signalling in neuromuscular junction formation in nematodes, insects, fish and mammals.

GIRK and SK channels, two families of voltage-independent K⁺channels, have recently been described at synaptic as well as extrasynaptic sites. Luján and colleagues discuss how associated signalling complexes in conjunction with local signals could result in the different functions of these two ion channel families.

Selective remodelling of synapses contributes to the successful wiring of the nervous system during development. Perry and O'Connor discuss recent studies that have implicated a key component of the immune system, the complement cascade, in this process.

Parkinson's disease is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Brundin and colleagues discuss how recent reports on the outcome of neuronal grafts carried out in patients with Parkinson's disease might shed light on the disease's progression.

New technologies promise to decipher whole-brain connectivity at a much greater resolution than ever before. Here, Lichtman, Livet and Sanes, the creators of Brainbow, critically assess the applications and challenges of this technology and those of other existing and emerging technologies.

Cell-surface receptors of the Dscam family are required for neuronal wiring inDrosophila. Schmucker discusses the homophilic-binding specificity and diversity of these receptors, their potential role in different aspects of neuronal wiring and key questions that remain unanswered.

Several recent studies have indicated that common neural substrates are involved in remembering past events and imagining future events. Schacter and colleagues outline these findings and discuss the theoretical implications for our understanding of the adaptive functions of memory.

Newly emerging techniques will revolutionize our understanding of the mammalian brain. Deisseroth and colleagues detail the development and use of microbial opsins as optogenetic tools for the study of neural circuits and discuss the use of these tools as potential future therapies for neurological disorders.