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The formation of a heteromer between cannabinoid 1 receptor and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 2A in the brain is required for cannabinoid-induced cognitive impairment, but not analgesia, in mice.
Specific ensembles of neurons in the basolateral amygdala representing unconditioned stimuli that mediate innate behaviours are also found to be necessary for the expression learned behaviours.
Various lines of evidence suggest that immune system dysregulation has a key role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Estes and McAllister review this evidence, covering genetic and maternal immune system-related risk factors, chronic immune system changes in individuals with ASD and in animal models, and potential pathophysiological mechanisms.
Local circuit GABAergic inhibitory interneurons regulate almost all aspects of cortical and hippocampal circuitry. In this Review, Overstreet-Wadiche and McBain discuss how neurogliaform cells are emerging as an inhibitory interneuron type with unique cellular and signalling properties that diverge from canonical roles for interneurons.
Lung nociceptors contribute to inflammation in a model of allergic asthma, in part by release of vasoactive intestinal peptide, and silencing these neurons may be a promising strategy for reducing inflammation in this disease.
The health of the vertebrate brain is dependent on appropriate levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is secreted by the choroid plexus (ChP). In this Review, Lehtinen and colleagues examine ChP structure and development and explore recently discovered functions of the ChP–CSF system.
There is emerging evidence that the interactions of oxytocin, GABAergic signals and stress molecules during birth can contribute to autism spectrum disorders. In this Opinion article, Ben-Ari suggests that, during birth, oxytocin can attenuate certain neurodevelopmental alterations, thereby attenuating the pathogenesis of autism in offspring.
Cajal's description of the neuron as the structural and functional unit of the nervous system formed the basis of much subsequent neuroscientific research. In this Timeline article, Yuste considers the contribution of the 'neuron doctrine' to neuroscience and discusses the recent transition in paradigm from the single neuron to neural networks.
A system inDrosophila melanogasterthat involves Diuretic hormone 44 (a homologue of mammalian corticotropin-releasing hormone) mediates the preferential ingestion and digestion of nutritive sugars.
A study shows that elevated levels of the microRNA encoded by the schizophrenia-linked genemir-137impair presynaptic plasticity and hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in mice.
Bidirectional signalling between nociceptors and immune cells protects the host from potential threats to homeostasis. In this Review, McMahon and colleagues discuss how, when such signalling becomes uncontrolled or dysfunctional, it can contribute to immune-mediated diseases and persistent pain states.
Exposure to one stressor can lead to altered responses to subsequent stressors, implying that the neural circuits that mediate stress responses undergo adaptive changes. Bains and colleagues review mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus that may contribute to such responses.
Placebo effects are positive effects on health that arise from the response of the brain to the contextual information that accompanies the delivery of a treatment. In this Review, Wager and Atlas examine the neural mechanisms that underlie such effects, focusing on placebo analgesia.
