Spine plasticity

Benzodiazepines, used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, may cause cognitive impairment. Shi et al. demonstrate that this is caused by interaction with the mitochondrial protein TSPO, which drives microglia to excessively remove synapses.

Synaptic dysfunction is a key feature of Alzheimer disease. In this Review, Padmanabhan, Kneynsberg and Götz examine insights provided by super-resolution microscopy into synaptic architecture and organization in Alzheimer disease, focusing on amyloid-β and tau, thought to be two key players in the pathophysiology of the disease.

Sleep plays an important role in learning and memory. Here the authors show that experience dependent elimination of spines is attenuated by REM sleep deprivation.