Patches of face-selective cortex in the macaque frontal lobe

Doris Y Tsao, Nicole Schweers, Sebastian Moeller & Winrich A Freiwald

doi:10.1038/nn.2158

Although the existence of face-selective processing in the temporal lobes is well-accepted, the existence of similar patches in frontal cortex is debated, with contradictory evidence. This study used fMRI in alert macaques to identify three face-selective regions in ventral prefrontal cortex, one of which was strongly lateralized to the right hemisphere.

Abstract - | Full Text - Patches of face-selective cortex in the macaque frontal lobe | PDF (361 KB) - Patches of face-selective cortex in the macaque frontal lobe | Supplementary information

Exporting the Western university - p853

doi:10.1038/nn0808-853

As Western universities establish lucrative satellite programs overseas, they promise to draw new parts of the globe into the scientific endeavor. Faculty recruitment, however, emerges as a hurdle on the way to excellence.

Full Text - Exporting the Western university | PDF (133 KB) - Exporting the Western university

Celebrating place cells - p855

Douglas Nitz reviews Hippocampal Place Fields: Relevance to Learning and Memory by Sheri J Y Mizumori

doi:10.1038/nn0808-855

Full Text - Celebrating place cells | PDF (110 KB) - Celebrating place cells

Unraveling the ribbon synapse - pp857 - 859

Jakob S Satz & Kevin P Campbell

doi:10.1038/nn0808-857

A new study identifies pikachurin, a previously-unknown dystroglycan-binding protein that is critical for the apposition of photoreceptor and bipolar cell dendrites at the ribbon synapse. This work could explain some of the visual defects seen in several muscular dystrophies.

Full Text - Unraveling the ribbon synapse | PDF (765 KB) - Unraveling the ribbon synapse

See also: Article by Sato et al.

Fresh air is good for nerves: hypoxia disturbs axon guidance - pp859 - 861

Chun-Liang Pan & Gian Garriga

doi:10.1038/nn0808-859

The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) triggers multiple cellular responses to cope with hypoxia. A study in this issue suggests that elevated HIF-1 also causes axon guidance defects under hypoxic conditions.

Full Text - Fresh air is good for nerves: hypoxia disturbs axon guidance | PDF (474 KB) - Fresh air is good for nerves: hypoxia disturbs axon guidance

See also: Article by Pocock & Hobert

Mapping the microcircuitry of attention - pp861 - 862

John H Reynolds

doi:10.1038/nn0808-861

A study uses electrophysiological recordings from primary visual cortex of the monkey to demonstrate that the effects of attention are modulated by task difficulty and that two different neuronal populations mediate this effect.

Full Text - Mapping the microcircuitry of attention | PDF (355 KB) - Mapping the microcircuitry of attention

See also: Article by Chen et al.

Face to face with cortex - pp862 - 864

Chris I Baker

doi:10.1038/nn0808-862

Two new studies in Science and Nature Neuroscience combine functional magnetic resonance imaging and electrical microstimulation to reveal face-selective temporal and frontal areas and their connectivity.

Full Text - Face to face with cortex | PDF (306 KB) - Face to face with cortex

See also: Brief Communication by Tsao et al.

Action potentials contribute to neuronal signaling in C. elegans - pp865 - 867

Jerry E Mellem, Penelope J Brockie, David M Madsen & Andres V Maricq

doi:10.1038/nn.2131

The physical properties of nematode neurons have led many to believe that neuronal signals in worms are passively propagated. Here, the authors present evidence for the production of regenerative action potentials in some nematode neurons, which can participate in the control of a bistable state.

Abstract - | Full Text - Action potentials contribute to neuronal signaling in C. elegans | PDF (225 KB) - Action potentials contribute to neuronal signaling in C. elegans | Supplementary information

The stress hormone corticosterone conditions AMPAR surface trafficking and synaptic potentiation - pp868 - 870

Laurent Groc, Daniel Choquet & Francis Chaouloff

doi:10.1038/nn.2150

Corticosterone triggers increased AMPA receptor membrane mobility and surface expression, according to a new study by Groc and colleagues. This mechanism helps to explain the observed modulation of synaptic plasticity and strength induced by this stress hormone.

Abstract - | Full Text - The stress hormone corticosterone conditions AMPAR surface trafficking and synaptic potentiation | PDF (211 KB) - The stress hormone corticosterone conditions AMPAR surface trafficking and synaptic potentiation | Supplementary information

Control of thermotactic behavior via coupling of a TRP channel to a phospholipase C signaling cascade - pp871 - 873

Young Kwon, Hye-Seok Shim, Xiaoyue Wang & Craig Montell

doi:10.1038/nn.2170

Drosophila larvae maintain a very precise ability to sense small environmental temperature differences, influencing thermotactic behavior. Kwon et al. suggest a requirement for TRPA1 activation in mediating this sensitivity, but with channel responses arising from a PLC-based signaling cascade, not by direct thermal activation of the channel.

Abstract - | Full Text - Control of thermotactic behavior via coupling of a TRP channel to a phospholipase C signaling cascade | PDF (196 KB) - Control of thermotactic behavior via coupling of a TRP channel to a phospholipase C signaling cascade | Supplementary information

Suppression of male courtship by a Drosophila pheromone receptor - pp874 - 876

Tetsuya Miyamoto & Hubert Amrein

doi:10.1038/nn.2161

Chemosensory cues are important indicators during Drosophila courtship. This study reveals that disrupting the expression of a gustatory receptor (Gr32a) causes flies to exhibit enhanced courtship behavior towards males and equivalent reactions to mated or virgin females, establishing Gr32a as a receptor for inhibitory courtship pheromones.

Abstract - | Full Text - Suppression of male courtship by a Drosophila pheromone receptor | PDF (258 KB) - Suppression of male courtship by a Drosophila pheromone receptor | Supplementary information

Regulating the expectation of reward via cognitive strategies - pp880 - 881

Mauricio R Delgado, M Meredith Gillis & Elizabeth A Phelps

doi:10.1038/nn.2141

People can moderate their aversive emotional reactions. Delgado and colleagues now show that people can also downregulate expectations of reward, which can at times be maladaptive (for example, drug cravings), and that this results in an attenuation of the physiological and neural correlates of reward expectation.

Abstract - | Full Text - Regulating the expectation of reward via cognitive strategies | PDF (173 KB) - Regulating the expectation of reward via cognitive strategies | Supplementary information

Gating the pore of P2X receptor channels - pp883 - 887

Mufeng Li, Tsg-Hui Chang, Shai D Silberberg & Kenton J Swartz

doi:10.1038/nn.2151

Trimeric P2X receptor channels are activated by ATP and function in neural signaling, pain transmission and inflammation-based pathways. Cysteine scanning analysis of the transmembrane regions revealed that the second domain lines the central ion-conductance pore and acts like a gate to limit ion flow in the closed state.

Abstract - | Full Text - Gating the pore of P2X receptor channels | Supplementary information

Directed differentiation of hippocampal stem/progenitor cells in the adult brain - pp888 - 893

Sebastian Jessberger, Nicolas Toni, Gregory D Clemenson Jr, Jasodhara Ray & Fred H Gage

doi:10.1038/nn.2148

The multipotency of adult CNS stem cells has been shown in vitro, but not in vivo. Progenitors in the adult hippocampal subgranular zone normally generate only granule neurons. Retrovirus-mediated expression of the transcription factor Ascl1, however, resulted in the generation of immature and mature oligodendrocytes, demonstrating the progenitors' latent multipotency.

Abstract - | Full Text - Directed differentiation of hippocampal stem/progenitor cells in the adult brain | PDF (801 KB) - Directed differentiation of hippocampal stem/progenitor cells in the adult brain | Supplementary information

Oxygen levels affect axon guidance and neuronal migration in Caenorhabditis elegans - pp894 - 900

Roger Pocock & Oliver Hobert

doi:10.1038/nn.2152

Perinatal lack of oxygen can impair brain development. In the worm C. elegans, this study shows that oxygen deprivation during embryogenesis caused specific axon-pathfinding errors. The defects were absent in worms lacking the hypoxia-response transcription factor HIF-1. Overexpression of HIF-1 replicated the hypoxia-induced defects. Hypoxia or HIF-1 induced the Eph receptor Vab-1, which may in part explain the pathfinding errors.

Abstract - | Full Text - Oxygen levels affect axon guidance and neuronal migration in Caenorhabditis elegans | PDF (290 KB) - Oxygen levels affect axon guidance and neuronal migration in Caenorhabditis elegans | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Pan & Garriga

Neurons born in the adult dentate gyrus form functional synapses with target cells - pp901 - 907

Nicolas Toni, Diego A Laplagne, Chunmei Zhao, Gabriela Lombardi, Charles E Ribak, Fred H Gage & Alejandro F Schinder

doi:10.1038/nn.2156

Adult neurogenesis in hippocampus yields newly born granule cells that receive synaptic inputs from existing neurons. Characterizing morphological and functional features of newborn neurons in adult mice, Toni et al. demonstrate the functional maturation of their synaptic output onto the appropriate target cells in the hippocampus.

Abstract - | Full Text - Neurons born in the adult dentate gyrus form functional synapses with target cells | PDF (975 KB) - Neurons born in the adult dentate gyrus form functional synapses with target cells | Supplementary information

Bidirectional temperature-sensing by a single thermosensory neuron in C. elegans - pp908 - 915

Daniel Ramot, Bronwyn L MacInnis & Miriam B Goodman

doi:10.1038/nn.2157

It is currently unknown how some animals maintain such precise temperature sensation. Ramot et al. report that the thermosensory neurons in C. elegans utilize cGMP-dependent signaling machinery to alter ionic current responses and maintain a dynamic range of sensitivity.

Abstract - | Full Text - Bidirectional temperature-sensing by a single thermosensory neuron in C. elegans | PDF (1,334 KB) - Bidirectional temperature-sensing by a single thermosensory neuron in C. elegans | Supplementary information

Light-sensitive neurons and channels mediate phototaxis in C. elegans - pp916 - 922

Alex Ward, Jie Liu, Zhaoyang Feng & X Z Shawn Xu

doi:10.1038/nn.2155

C.elegans do not possess eyes and are believed to lack responses to light. Ward et al. report a photophobic response in these worms and map this behavior to a group of sensory neurons. Their results also suggest that there could be some conservation in phototransduction between nematodes and vertebrates.

Abstract - | Full Text - Light-sensitive neurons and channels mediate phototaxis in C. elegans | PDF (308 KB) - Light-sensitive neurons and channels mediate phototaxis in C. elegans | Supplementary information

Pikachurin, a dystroglycan ligand, is essential for photoreceptor ribbon synapse formation - pp923 - 931

Shigeru Sato, Yoshihiro Omori, Kimiko Katoh, Mineo Kondo, Motoi Kanagawa, Kentaro Miyata, Kazuo Funabiki, Toshiyuki Koyasu, Naoko Kajimura, Tomomitsu Miyoshi, Hajime Sawai, Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Akiko Tani, Tatsushi Toda, Jiro Usukura, Yasuo Tano, Takashi Fujikado & Takahisa Furukawa

doi:10.1038/nn.2160

This study identifies a dystroglycan-interacting protein, pikachurin, that is localized in the extracellular space between photoreceptors and bipolar cells. The authors also demonstrate its requirement in normal ribbon synapse development and function. Kevin Campbell and Jakob Satz discuss this paper in an accompanying News and Views article.

Abstract - | Full Text - Pikachurin, a dystroglycan ligand, is essential for photoreceptor ribbon synapse formation | PDF (4,091 KB) - Pikachurin, a dystroglycan ligand, is essential for photoreceptor ribbon synapse formation | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Satz & Campbell

Cell type–specific regulation of DARPP-32 phosphorylation by psychostimulant and antipsychotic drugs - pp932 - 939

Helen S Bateup, Per Svenningsson, Mahomi Kuroiwa, Shiaoching Gong, Akinori Nishi, Nathaniel Heintz & Paul Greengard

doi:10.1038/nn.2153

DARPP-32 phosphorylation is crucial to the actions of both psychostimulant and antipsychotic drugs. By using BAC transgenic mice to tag DARPP32 selectively in either striatonigral or striatopallidal neurons, the authors show that cocaine (a psychostimulant) and haloperidol (an antipsychotic) exert different effects on DARPP-32 in these two neuronal populations. This may help explain the opposing behavioral effects of these drugs.

Abstract - | Full Text - Cell type–specific regulation of DARPP-32 phosphorylation by psychostimulant and antipsychotic drugs | Supplementary information

PICK1 uncoupling from mGluR7a causes absence-like seizures - pp940 - 948

Federica Bertaso, Chuansheng Zhang, Astrid Scheschonka, Frédéric de Bock, Pierre Fontanaud, Philippe Marin, Richard L Huganir, Heinrich Betz, Joël Bockaert, Laurent Fagni & Mireille Lerner-Natoli

doi:10.1038/nn.2142

Mice lacking the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR7 are hypersensitive to convulsant drugs. But how does mGluR7 act to prevent seizures? Here the authors show that interfering with the interaction between mGluR7 and the intracellular adaptor protein PICK1 causes a phenotype in mice and rats that is reminiscent of human absence epilepsy.

Abstract - | Full Text - PICK1 uncoupling from mGluR7a causes absence-like seizures | PDF (749 KB) - PICK1 uncoupling from mGluR7a causes absence-like seizures | Supplementary information

Increased dopamine after mating impairs olfaction and prevents odor interference with pregnancy - pp949 - 956

Che Serguera, Viviana Triaca, Jakki Kelly-Barrett, Mumna Al Banchaabouchi & Liliana Minichiello

doi:10.1038/nn.2154

Pregnancy in mice is aborted if a female smells the urine of a new male up to 3 days after insemination, but not later. What changes? Dopamine increased in the female main olfactory bulb after copulation, peaking at 4 days. This diminished the mice's ability to recognize male urine. A dopamine receptor inhibitor improved recognition of male urine, and thereby increased the probability of abort.

Abstract - | Full Text - Increased dopamine after mating impairs olfaction and prevents odor interference with pregnancy | PDF (339 KB) - Increased dopamine after mating impairs olfaction and prevents odor interference with pregnancy | Supplementary information

Manipulating critical period closure across different sectors of the primary auditory cortex - pp957 - 965

Etienne de Villers-Sidani, Kimberly L Simpson, Y-F Lu, Rick C S Lin & Michael M Merzenich

doi:10.1038/nn.2144

The neural circuitry of primary auditory cortex is known to have a critical period during which the representation of sound frequency is shaped to represent the external world. De Villers-Sidani and colleagues now show that the end of this critical period is driven by local patterns of activity reflecting environmental stimuli.

Abstract - | Full Text - Manipulating critical period closure across different sectors of the primary auditory cortex | PDF (768 KB) - Manipulating critical period closure across different sectors of the primary auditory cortex | Supplementary information

The temporal precision of reward prediction in dopamine neurons - pp966 - 973

Christopher D Fiorillo, William T Newsome & Wolfram Schultz

doi:10.1038/nn.2159

In this article, the authors report that the temporal precision of the reward prediction error signal encoded by midbrain dopamine neurons declines as the delay between a reward predicting stimulus and an expected reward increases. The temporal precision of the neural signal is qualitatively similar to that of anticipatory behavior.

Abstract - | Full Text - The temporal precision of reward prediction in dopamine neurons | PDF (281 KB) - The temporal precision of reward prediction in dopamine neurons | Supplementary information

Task difficulty modulates the activity of specific neuronal populations in primary visual cortex - pp974 - 982

Yao Chen, Susana Martinez-Conde, Stephen L Macknik, Yulia Bereshpolova, Harvey A Swadlow & Jose-Manuel Alonso

doi:10.1038/nn.2147

Spatial attention works to modulate neuronal responses as early as V1, according to this study. Using electrophysiological recordings in monkey primary visual cortex, the authors found that there are two distinct cell populations (differentiated by direction selectivity, spike width, interspike interval distribution and contrast sensitivity) whose responses are either suppressed or enhanced by attention.

Abstract - | Full Text - Task difficulty modulates the activity of specific neuronal populations in primary visual cortex | PDF (473 KB) - Task difficulty modulates the activity of specific neuronal populations in primary visual cortex | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Reynolds