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Volume 11 Issue 4, April 2010

From The Editors

  • Highly debated topics in neuroscience.

    From The Editors

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Research Highlight

  • A prion-like protein may be a key mediator of long-term changes in the synapse.

    • Cristian Bodo
    Research Highlight
  • Radial-glia-like cells in the developing human brain may distinguish primate cortical growth from that of other species.

    • Katherine Whalley
    Research Highlight
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In Brief

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Research Highlight

  • Positive modulation of α1 subunit-containing GABAAreceptors in the ventral tegmental area underlies the addictive nature of benzodiazepines.

    • Monica Hoyos Flight
    Research Highlight
  • CAMK2α acts as a scaffold for proteasomes at synapses.

    • Claudia Wiedemann
    Research Highlight
  • Three proteins associated with different developmental disorders interact at the same subset of imprinted genes in the mouse brain, suggesting overlapping molecular mechanisms for these diseases.

    • Mary Muers
    Research Highlight
  • DAGLα is essential for 2-AG synthesis and endocannabinoid signalling in the brain.

    • Leonie Welberg
    Research Highlight
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In Brief

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Research Highlight

  • Transient deficits inDisc1expression before birth cause abnormalities in the dopaminergic system and behavioural impairments after puberty.

    • Cristian Bodo
    Research Highlight
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Review Article

  • The importance of neurotransmitter release by astrocytes is highly controversial. Hamilton and Attwell review evidence for the release of glutamate,D-serine and ATP by astrocytes and their role in shaping synaptic activity. Potential mechanisms of astrocyte neurotransmitter release, including regulated exocytosis, are assessed.

    • Nicola B. Hamilton
    • David Attwell
    Review Article
  • Kotaleski and Blackwell describe computational approaches derived from systems biology that have been used to elucidate the complex molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity. They highlight the advancements produced by these quantitative modelling efforts and discuss new approaches that incorporate data from live-cell imaging.

    • Jeanette Hellgren Kotaleski
    • Kim T. Blackwell
    Review Article
  • The spatial arrangement of sensory receptors on the face is reiterated at each stage of the somatosensory pathway from the brainstem to the cortex. Rijli and colleagues discuss the molecular mechanisms by which somatotopic maps are formed in the brainstem.

    • Reha S. Erzurumlu
    • Yasunori Murakami
    • Filippo M. Rijli
    Review Article
  • The putative role of the parieto-frontal mirror circuit in action understanding is hotly debated. Reviewing studies in monkeys and humans, Rizzolatti and Sinigaglia describe what parieto-frontal mirror neurons encode, discuss the cognitive functions this circuit might support and address outstanding issues of controversy.

    • Giacomo Rizzolatti
    • Corrado Sinigaglia
    Review Article
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Opinion

  • Ensheathing glia are essential for the long-term survival of axons; however, the mechanisms by which they contribute to neuronal viability are unclear. Here, Nave proposes that long axons require continuous support from glia to meet their metabolic needs, especially when insulated by myelin.

    • Klaus-Armin Nave
    Opinion
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Science and Society

  • The use of neuroimaging in product marketing has received considerable business and media attention. Ariely and Berns consider the possibilities and limitations of neuromarketing, arguing that, although not generally cost-effective, it might be useful in specific aspects of marketing. An interview with Gregory S. Berns for Neuropod is available for download.

    • Dan Ariely
    • Gregory S. Berns
    Science and Society
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