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The relatively simple architecture of the hippocampus makes it an ideal model to study cortical lamination. Försteret al. review recent work on the molecular mechanisms that guide the formation of cell and fibre layers in the hippocampus.
The recent convergence of neuroscience and social psychology has shed fresh light on the neural mechanisms underlying social interaction. Amodio and Frith review anatomical and functional characteristics of the medial frontal cortex, highlighting its central role in social cognitive processing.
Molecular changes that occur during ageing are also seen in neurodegenerative diseases. Mattson and Magnus review the mechanisms by which age-related changes contribute to neuronal vulnerability in these diseases and ways in which adaptive responses might facilitate healthy neural ageing.
Youdim and colleagues describe how the recent solving of the crystal structures of monoamine oxidase enzymes has increased our understanding of the action of their inhibitors, some of which are now showing therapeutic value in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions.
The relationship between brain activity and behaviour is an issue of great interest and contention. Eastman and Campbell discuss the differences in the legal and scientific constructs of responsibility, and their implications for the determination of criminal responsibility.
Data sharing in neuroscience remains relatively rare. Ascoli describes the obstacles that need to be overcome, and highlights the great potential for sharing neuronal morphology data as a starting point to mobilize data sharing in the wider neuroscience community.
