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WNTs are largely thought of as regulators of cell fate but recent studies highlight their involvement in synaptic development. Korkut and Budnik discuss emerging data on the effects of WNT signalling in neuromuscular junction formation in nematodes, insects, fish and mammals.
Protein expression levels and protein interactions are dynamic, cell type-specific and dependent on the brain region. Bayés and Grant review how neuroproteomic studies have contributed to elucidating basic physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms and point to the further potential of such studies.
The formation and elimination of axonal boutons and dendritic spines is continuously taking place in the adult mammalian brain. Holtmaat and Svoboda review this structural plasticity and its dependence on cell type, sensory experiences and learning.
Studies into the role of different frontal cortex areas in cognitive control have suggested that there is a rostral-to-caudal processing gradient. Drawing on anatomical and functional data from humans and monkeys, Badre and D'Esposito discuss whether this gradient might reflect a hierarchical organization.
The connections in the cerebellum are highly complex, and different experimental approaches have resulted in several maps of cerebellar organization. Reviewing anatomical, physiological and molecular studies, Apps and Hawkes show that different maps might represent facets of a common topography.
Biomaterials can be used to deliver drugs, cells and tissue transplants into regions of the brain damaged by neurodegenerative disease or trauma. Emerich and colleagues describe currently available biomaterials and show how the ability to manipulate biomaterial–cell interactions will improve their usefulness.
