Review Articles in 2023

SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with various neurological effects both during and after infection. In this Review, Meinhardt and colleagues discuss the possible impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on different cell populations of the nervous system and the neurological alterations that result, thus facilitating the development of treatment options.

A prevailing notion in sleep research is that sleep homeostasis and circadian rhythmicity involve independent processes. In this Review, Franken and Dijk discuss evidence that suggests that sleep and circadian rhythmicity are interdependent and together support the homeostasis of brain function.

Human cortical neurons undergo a protracted period of postmitotic maturation compared with those of other species. Wallace and Pollen review the cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic mechanisms that govern neuronal postmitotic development and consider the factors that may contribute to species-specific maturation rates.

The neuropeptide oxytocin has a vital role in many mammalian social behaviours. Here, Menon and Neumann provide a comprehensive review of the rodent neuronal circuits in which oxytocin acts to regulate the processing of social cues in order to reinforce reproductive and non-reproductive social behaviours.

Neuron–oligodendroglial interactions modulate neural circuit structure and function in the healthy brain. In this Review, Taylor and Monje describe the accumulating evidence for how glial malignancies subvert and repurpose these powerful neuron–glial interactions to drive glioma pathophysiology.

High-resolution maps of biological annotations in the brain are increasingly generated and shared. In this Review, Bazinet and colleagues discuss how brain connectomes can be enriched with biological annotations to address new questions about brain network organization.

Synaptic or neuronal activity can trigger transcriptional changes in the nucleus that are important for learning and memory. Tsien, Ma and co-workers here provide a comprehensive review of the complex signalling pathways involved in this excitation–transcription coupling.

Research has often considered defensive behaviour as entirely mediated by the brain processing threat-related information. In this Review, Tseng et al. elucidate the interconnected network between the brain and body that facilitates defensive responses to threats varying in imminence.

Stress modulates immune system function and systemic inflammation is linked to stress-related disorders, including depression. Russo and colleagues outline the neural circuits through which the CNS regulates immune cell function in peripheral tissues in response to stress and consider how these responses contribute to stress-related pathophysiology.

Motherhood in humans is associated with numerous neurobiological adaptations. In this Review, Servin-Barthet et al. focus on the interplay among pregnancy-related hormones, brain plasticity and maternal behaviour and aim to provide a roadmap for future investigations.

Ciliated neurons sited at the interface between the CNS and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are present in many species; however, it is only in recent years that these ‘CSF-contacting neurons’ have been investigated in detail. Wyart et al. here discuss the features of these neurons and our current understanding of their varied contributions to CNS function.

Through the study of animal models, translational research aims to uncover mechanisms that may underlie phenomena observed in humans. In this Review, Brynildsen et al. explore the contributions of network science approaches to cross-species translational research in neuroscience.

In addition to its well known role in fast inhibitory synaptic transmission, GABA mediates the tonic inhibition of neuronal activity over slower timescales. Lee, Cheong and colleagues provide an overview of the mechanisms that regulate GABA tone in the brain and the contribution of tonic GABA currents to cognitive function.

Developments in connectomics and network neuroscience over the past 20 years have led to new ways of investigating communication in complex brain networks. In this Review, Seguin, Sporns and Zalesky discuss the current landscape of models of brain network communication.

The contribution of visual information to the representation of space in the brain is well known and recent research in rodents has indicated that spatial signals can also influence visual processing. In this Review, Saleem and Busse describe what is known about these bidirectional interactions and their importance in the control of visuo-spatial behaviour.

Alternative splicing dysregulation contributes to the molecular pathology of a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases. In this Review, Nikom and Zheng discuss the latest advances in RNA-based therapeutic strategies developed to target the underlying splicing mechanisms.

Microglia are detected in active lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) and research in animal models has suggested diverse roles for these cells in neural damage and repair. Gosselin and colleagues discuss the mechanisms through which microglia contribute to neuropathology and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their function in demyelinating conditions.

Oligodendrocytes secrete extracellular vesicles, which deliver cargo to axons where they regulate key cellular processes. In this Review, Krämer-Albers and Werner discuss the mechanisms by which extracellular vesicles promote neuronal health and their potential to be utilized therapeutically.

The pathogenesis of multiple system atrophy, a rapidly progressing oligodendroglial α-synucleinopathy, is not well understood. In this Review, Stefanova and Wenning discuss how converging findings from genetic and neuropathological studies and experimental models have revealed a complex cascade of mechanisms that underlie the disorder.

Clarification of mechanisms underlying inflammation and neural repair after ischaemic stroke could lead to improved prognosis. In this Review, Shichita et al. discuss the biphasic nature of the post-stroke inflammatory response and the key molecules and cells involved.