Research Highlights in 2010

A small molecule that increases endocannabinoid signalling at sensory nerve terminals enhances analgesia.

Hedgehog signalling establishes spatial correspondence between olfactory receptor neurons and their targets in the brain through a two-step mechanism.

Regional variations in aerobic glycolysis in young adults correlate spatially with amyloid-β deposition in older individuals.

DISC1 negatively regulates synaptic strength by inhibiting the TNIK-dependent stabilization of postsynaptic proteins.

EGFR–Notch 1 pathway interactions balance neural stem cell and progenitor cell populations.

Glutamate can facilitate inhibitory glycine receptor signalling in the spinal cord and brainstem through allosteric modulation.

Presynaptic GABA_Breceptors sense local variations in basal GABA levels and homeostatically regulate release probability at individual excitatory boutons.

Glia can discriminate patterns of synaptic activity and modulate synaptic plasticity through balanced A₁ and A₂adenosine receptor activation.

Transient receptor potential cation channel N1 is a mechanosensitive channel in fruitflies and nematode worms.

Exercise reduces food intake through an interleukin-6 (IL-6)-mediated mechanism acting in the hypothalamus.

NR1/NR3-containing 'NMDA' receptors are expressedin vivoin myelin and can be activated by glycine alone

regulation of MeCP2 by drugs of abuse contributes to behavioural and neural responses to the drugs

Inhibitors of leucinerich repeat kinase 2 reduce neuronal damage in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Toll-like receptor 3 signalling suppresses hippocampal neurogenesis and impairs working memory.

Ketamine-induced activation of mTOR signalling underlies its antidepressant effects.

tau regulates the interaction of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) with NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, which are thought to mediate Aβ toxicity.

translational regulation of E2F1 and DP by miRNAs is implicated in LRRK2-mediated pathogenesis in Parkinson's disease.

Astrocytes control breathing through pH-dependent release of ATP.

SIRT1 modulates synaptic plasticity through microRNA-dependent regulation of the transcription factor cAMP-responsive element-binding (CREB) protein.

Mice that experience an enriched environment are more resistant to tumour growth.