Research Highlights in 2013

In neonatal mice, low or moderate cortical activity has no effect on the developing cerebral microvasculature, but more-persistent, repetitive cortical activity can lead to detrimental changes in the cerebral microvasculature.

A study involving a mouse model of autism shows that gut microbes and gastrointestinal abnormalities influence behaviour and suggests that targeting the gut microbiome may alleviate some of the behavioural symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders.

MicroRNA-128 is expressed in striatal dopamine D1 receptor-expressing neurons and might contribute to the neuronal hyperexcitability observed in epilepsy and motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Highly specific experiences can be inherited by subsequent generations, and this transmission occurs through parental gametes.

Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors could be used to prevent at least some of the unwanted side effects of the marijuana component Δ⁹-THC without impairing its beneficial properties.

Fear extinction induces structural changes at inhibitory synapses in the amygdala to silence fear circuits.

Two new studies reveal that parvalbumin-expressing interneurons form extensive connections with mitral cells and tufted cells in the olfactory bulb and have an important role in odour processing.

Prior exposure to females suppresses sex-related aggression through a pheromone-based contact chemosensation mechanism.

The nuclear export of histone deacetylase 5 triggers a regenerative transcriptional response after axon injury in peripheral neurons.

A new study suggests that sustained activity in the default-mode network during a painful stimulus influences activity in pain-reducing brain areas.

Neural progenitor cell (NPC) profileration in mice is associated with oscillating patterns of expression of several transcription factors, whereas NPC differentiation is associated with the sustained, dominant expression of particular transcription factors.

Active dendritic processing has a role in neuronal computations in the visual system.

A study in mice suggests that an important function of sleep may be the removal of waste products from the brain.

Two studies provide a first account of homeostatic plasticity of firing rate in the cortex of awake animals.

By engulfing viable neurons, microglia can contribute to the brain atrophy that results from transient ischaemia.

A new study shows that the number of neurons in cortical barrel columns varies markedly within individual rats.

Two recent studies show that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-expressing interneurons exert a disinhibitory effect on cortical pyramidal cells in a number of brain areas, and this has important implications for control of cortical processing and behaviour.

The results of two new studies suggest that human cortical interneurons predominantly originate in subcortical regions.

Specific emotional memories can be selectively manipulated during sleep by sensory stimuli.

Acute inflammatory pain can result in long-lasting central sensitization of spinal nociceptive pathways that is masked by upregulation of endogenous opioid signalling via the μ-opioid receptor.