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How does the brain generate positive or negative hedonic or motivational reactions (such as liking or disgust) to particular stimuli or events? In this Opinion article, Berridge evaluates two proposed mechanisms for the generation of affective valance in the brain.
Epigenetic mechanisms play an important part in learning and memory. Here, Campbell and Wood give an overview of epigenetic mechanisms that are necessary for such processes, with a particular focus on the bidirectional relationship between the epigenome and the synapse.
Neurosecretion is controlled by SNAREs and SNARE-binding proteins and is initiated by the influx of Ca2+ ions through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). In this Review, Dittman and Ryan discuss progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of VGCCs and fusion machinery.
Understanding the complex interplay of cells that protect neurons early in Alzheimer disease but later contribute to neurodegeneration is important for developing effective therapeutics. In this Review, Henstridge and colleagues discuss the contributions of multiple cell types to disease pathogenesis.
Why is the human cerebral cortex folded? Llinares-Benadero and Borrell provide an overview of the mechanical, cellular and molecular factors — and the interactions among them — that influence cortical folding in gyrencephalic species.