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Memory storage is thought to be mediated by lasting physical changes, or engrams, in the brain. In this Review, Josselyn and colleagues discuss characteristics of the engram and describe the recent progress that has been made in identifying neurons involved in specific engrams.
Schizophrenia is characterized by various neurocognitive deficits, including impairments in auditory function. In this Review, Javitt and Sweet examine the behavioural, neurophysiological and structural evidence for auditory cortical dysfunction in this disorder and explore some of the possible underlying mechanisms.
Recent years have seen considerable interest in the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this Review, Thomas Bourgeron examines the genetic architecture of this disorder and how ASD-linked mutations might affect synaptic plasticity, before exploring the synaptic homeostasis hypothesis of ASD.
Individuals with Down syndrome have an enhanced risk of developing early onset Alzheimer disease. Here, the authors describe the features of Alzheimer disease in Down syndrome and show how understanding the genetic and pathogenic mechanisms of this form of Alzheimer disease may shed light on more general mechanisms of neurodegeneration.
Emerging evidence suggests a role for the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.9 in pain. In this Progress article, Dib-Hajj, Black and Waxman analyse the findings from three studies that report mutations in the gene encoding NaV1.9 in pain disorders, and suggest that NaV1.9 may be a potential therapeutic target for pain.
Various lines of evidence suggest that immune system dysregulation has a key role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Estes and McAllister review this evidence, covering genetic and maternal immune system-related risk factors, chronic immune system changes in individuals with ASD and in animal models, and potential pathophysiological mechanisms.
Local circuit GABAergic inhibitory interneurons regulate almost all aspects of cortical and hippocampal circuitry. In this Review, Overstreet-Wadiche and McBain discuss how neurogliaform cells are emerging as an inhibitory interneuron type with unique cellular and signalling properties that diverge from canonical roles for interneurons.
The health of the vertebrate brain is dependent on appropriate levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is secreted by the choroid plexus (ChP). In this Review, Lehtinen and colleagues examine ChP structure and development and explore recently discovered functions of the ChP–CSF system.
There is emerging evidence that the interactions of oxytocin, GABAergic signals and stress molecules during birth can contribute to autism spectrum disorders. In this Opinion article, Ben-Ari suggests that, during birth, oxytocin can attenuate certain neurodevelopmental alterations, thereby attenuating the pathogenesis of autism in offspring.
Cajal's description of the neuron as the structural and functional unit of the nervous system formed the basis of much subsequent neuroscientific research. In this Timeline article, Yuste considers the contribution of the 'neuron doctrine' to neuroscience and discusses the recent transition in paradigm from the single neuron to neural networks.
Bidirectional signalling between nociceptors and immune cells protects the host from potential threats to homeostasis. In this Review, McMahon and colleagues discuss how, when such signalling becomes uncontrolled or dysfunctional, it can contribute to immune-mediated diseases and persistent pain states.
Exposure to one stressor can lead to altered responses to subsequent stressors, implying that the neural circuits that mediate stress responses undergo adaptive changes. Bains and colleagues review mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus that may contribute to such responses.
Placebo effects are positive effects on health that arise from the response of the brain to the contextual information that accompanies the delivery of a treatment. In this Review, Wager and Atlas examine the neural mechanisms that underlie such effects, focusing on placebo analgesia.
The brain balances the segregation and integration of incoming information to facilitate flexible cognition and behaviour. In this Opinion article, Deco and colleagues argue that whole-brain computational modelling based on neuroimaging data can provide insights into these segregation and integration processes.
The brain is increasingly thought to predict sensory inputs, based on previous experience. In this Opinion article, Barrett and Simmons integrate this active inference account with an anatomical model of corticocortical connections, and describe how such a system may unify allostatic control and interoception within an integrated neural architecture.
Recent methodological progress has greatly facilitated the determination of the connectivity and functional characterization of complex neural circuits. In this Review, Tovote, Fadok and Lüthi examine studies that have adopted circuit-based approaches to gain insight into how the brain governs fear and anxiety.
It is now emerging that the neuroinflammation that is associated with Alzheimer disease may have a key role in driving this disease. In this Review, Heppner, Ransohoff and Becher examine the contribution of the immune system to the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Dysfunction of autophagy — an intracellular degradation pathway for cytosolic material — has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases. Rubinsztein and colleagues review recent progress in this area, focusing on macroautophagy, and discuss how this process may be manipulated to protect against neurodegeneration.
Exposure to environmental insults such as maternal stress during prenatal and postnatal development or paternal stress experience can have long-term effects on offspring brain function and behaviour. In this Review, Bale describes the mechanisms through which diverse insults reprogramme the epigenome and can even lead to transmission of the phenotype to subsequent generations.
Cannabinoid signalling is a major regulator of neurotransmitter release and plasticity at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. In this Review, Soltesz and colleagues discuss emerging principles of cannabinoid control of network oscillations and their relevance for epilepsy and related comorbidities.
