Perspectives in 2018

The core function of sleep remains unclear. In this Opinion, Anafi, Kayser and Raizen give an overview of sleep states in various phyla and propose that the original function of sleep was likely metabolic.

In this Opinion article, Hahn, Kumar and colleagues propose that synchrony- and oscillation-based communication between brain networks can be described by a common theoretical framework. They also suggest a mechanism for control of the flow of information in the brain through nesting of slow and fast oscillations.

Age-related changes in cognitive ability are the focus of a growing field of research. Cabeza, Rajah and colleagues aim to promote clarity in the field by agreeing upon consensual definitions for three widely discussed concepts: maintenance, compensation and reserve.

A growing field of research seeks to establish a neuroscientific basis for the correlations between socioeconomic status and life outcomes. Farah evaluates the opportunities and challenges that face the application of this field to wider policy discussions.

In this Opinion article, Mobbs and colleagues argue that more should be done to combine the approaches taken in neuroscience with those taken in ethology and behavioural ecology to study decision-making. They illustrate how this has been achieved in the context of studies on foraging.