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The molecular mechanisms of itch, particularly histamine-independent itch, are unclear. Wilson et al. report that TRPA1, an ion channel critical for pain sensation, also functions as an essential component of itch transduction.
A study now identifies a new progenitor subtype in the developing mouse cortex, similar to the outer radial glia progenitors described previously in human, ferret and other mammals with larger, folded brains.
Goals are represented in prefrontal cortex and modulate sensory processing in visual cortex. A new study combines TMS, fMRI and EEG to understand how feedback improves retention of behaviorally relevant visual information.
Synapse density and patterning must be tightly regulated to ensure proper circuit formation and function. A new report finds that postsynaptic L-type calcium channels control the pattern and differentiation of developing synapses.
Few brain circuits have generated more research than the mammalian hippocampus, a region of discrete subfields that connect serially to form a 'trisynaptic loop'. A new paper implies that the loop may be made up of parallel subpathways.
A new study challenges the idea that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex inhibits drug relapse, by selectively inactivating a subpopulation of neurons in this brain area and showing attenuation of context-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking.
Cytoplasmic inclusions containing TDP-43 are a hallmark of certain neurodegenerative diseases. Two new reports demonstrate that this protein binds a broad range of RNA transcripts, with a preference for UG-rich intronic regions.
How does chloride enter synaptic vesicle, and is it required for neurotransmitter uptake? A new study finds that the chloride transporter CLC-3 is needed for both acidification and transmitter loading of GABAergic synaptic vesicles.
Two studies now show that epigenetic regulation of gene transcription by histone deacetylases (HDACs) 1 and 2 regulates Schwann cell myelination through activation of a cascade of myelin gene expression. Deletion of HDAC1 and HDAC2 in Schwann cells disrupts interactions with axons, blocks myelination and leads to Schwann cell death.
A new study connects dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid intake to endocannabinoid-mediated neuronal function. Animals with specific fatty acid depletion show deficits in endocannabinoid-mediated synaptic depression and altered emotional behaviors.
A new optogenetics study finds that stimulation of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related peptide (AGRP) neurons acutely regulates feeding behavior. AGRP-induced hyperphagia is independent of melanocortin signaling.
A new study finds that memory reactivation during slow-wave sleep following learning can stabilize memories. Reactivation during wakefulness has the opposite effect, rendering memories labile and susceptible to modest modification.
A study shows that NR3A–containing presynaptic NMDA receptors regulate glutamate release, and that a switch in subunit composition underlies the developmental loss of spike timing–dependent LTD at cortical synapses.
Hunger makes Drosophila larvae move faster to find food. A new study suggests the underlying functional and structural plasticity, showing that hunger increases release of octopamine and branching of motor neurons.
Demonstrating the common mechanism of proteasome-dependent degradation of ion channels, two studies in this issue of Nature Neuroscience show that ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation can modulate neuronal excitability.
Our perception of the visual world is stable despite saccade-caused retinal input shifts. A new behavioral study shows that this stability may be achieved by predictively remapping attention before eye movements begin.
A new study shows that even under normal conditions repetitive spiking in some cortical interneurons can trigger spontaneous spiking that originates from distal axons and lasts for tens of seconds.
A study now reveals that ON and OFF thalamic inputs to visual cortex are partially segregated in space and predict the preferred orientation of neurons of the target cortical column. This finding brings us a step closer to a full understanding of the origin of simple cells and orientation maps in primary visual cortex.
