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Neural activity may dynamically tune the properties of a group of fast-spiking interneurons in the adult mouse cortex through a transcription-mediated mechanism.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer disease. In this Review, Biessels and Reagan discuss findings from human studies and animal models which suggest that hippocampal insulin resistance is one of the mechanisms underlying the links between these disorders.
Ageing leads to the gradual loss of brain function and is a key risk factor for most late-onset neurological disease. In this Review, Chow and Herrup explore how the loss of DNA integrity drives brain ageing and contributes to the pathogenesis of many seemingly unrelated conditions.
Classical theories, such as cable theory, can only successfully model signal propagation in neurons on a macroscopic scale. Holcman and Yuste argue that, as the functional importance of neuronal compartments such as dendritic spines becomes apparent, it is important to develop models that can account for the effects of their size and geometry on electrical current flow.
The cortical distribution of Cajal–Retzius cells is regulated by the vesicular trafficking protein VAMP3 and contributes to the specification of higher-order cortical areas.
Parental care of offspring involves a complex array of innate behaviours and is influenced by a dopaminergic circuit within the hypothalamus that regulates circulating oxytocin levels.
The brain is particularly sensitive to changes in cell number, which can acutely affect neural function. Here, Knoblich and colleagues describe the proliferation control mechanisms that exist inDrosophila melanogasterand mammals, and their regulation by developmental age and by metabolic and nutritional status.
Attention processes allow the selection of salient information over competing inputs. In this Review, Amso and Scerif propose a framework for visual attention development that incorporates its interactions with visual and memory systems and may guide the design of training programmes to alleviate attention disorders.
The causes and neurological mechanisms of tinnitus remain incompletely understood. In this Opinion, Elgoyhenet al. critically assess recent neuroimaging studies of people with tinnitus that implicate structural and functional changes among auditory and non-auditory areas and networks, and suggest ways to improve future research into the disorder.
Impairment of social cognition is an important feature of schizophrenia. Green and colleagues review the social processes that are affected in people with this disorder and consider empathy — a complex social cognitive function that involves several of these processes — in such individuals.
Cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands, the endocannabinoids, are widely expressed in the brain, particularly in regions that are implicated in mediating reward. In this Review, Parsons and Hurd explore the role of endocannabinoid signalling in natural and drug-induced reward, as well as in addiction.
Studies reveal a gradient in the functional properties of neurons along the transverse axis of hippocampal CA3 and their likely contribution to pattern separation and pattern completion.
State-dependent fear conditioning can be induced by activation of hippocampal extrasynaptic GABAAreceptors and is regulated by protein kinase CβII activity and microRNA-33 signalling.
