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The cadherin superfamily has roles in the development and organization of complex neuronal circuits. Takeichi explores the evidence from invertebrate and vertebrate studies for the involvement in these processes of different cadherin subfamilies, including classic cadherins, Flamingo/CELSRs and the protocadherins.
Understanding the mechanisms involved in the development of mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neurons might contribute to the success of cell-replacement strategies for disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Smidt and Burbach review the factors governing specification, migration, differentiation and maintenance of these neurons.
With combination antiretroviral therapy, HIV becomes a chronic, manageable condition. Ellis and colleagues explore how this has altered the time course of cognitive impairment associated with infection, the mechanisms underlying HIV-mediated neuropathology and potential strategies for diagnosis and treatment.
Gamma oscillations have been implicated in higher brain functions, including memory formation, and may be disturbed in some psychiatric disorders. Jonas and colleagues describe the synaptic mechanisms by which gamma oscillations are generated in inhibitory interneuron networks in the hippocampus.
Microglial activation in response to environmental toxins or endogenous proteins might make a key contribution to neuronal damage after injury and in neurodegenerative diseases. Block and colleagues describe recent insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the overactivation of microglia.
A central issue that has persisted throughout centuries of pain research concerns whether pain is an independent sensation with dedicated neural mechanisms. Perl documents the history of research since 1800, highlighting this and other important ideas about pain.
