Nature Neuroscience Contents: February 2012 Volume 15 Number 2, pp 171 - 337

TABLE OF CONTENTS February 2012 Volume 15, Issue 2 News and Views Review Brief Communications Articles Technical Report Subscribe   Facebook   RSS   Recommend to library   Twitter   News and Views Top Specialization: the connections have it pp171 - 172 Saad Jbabdi and Timothy E J Behrens doi:10.1038/nn.3031 Brain regions exhibit specialization for different functions, but such functions are constrained by anatomical connections to other brain regions. A study now finds that, by measuring these connections, we can predict complex functional responses before the subject has even performed the task. Full Text | PDF See also: Article by Saygin et al. Wiring visual circuits, one eye at a time pp172 - 174 Rana N El Danaf and Andrew D Huberman doi:10.1038/nn.3034 A study uses light-gated ion channels to control the activity of neurons in each eye, thereby revealing how the timing of neuronal firing dictates whether visual circuits segregate from one another or stay mixed. Full Text | PDF See also: Article by Zhang et al. Hamlet Notches fate pp174 - 176 Dietmar Schmucker and Bassem A Hassan doi:10.1038/nn.3029 Cell specification of olfactory receptor neurons in Drosophila is orchestrated by context-dependent response to Notch signaling mediated by Hamlet, which directs specific chromatin modifications in subsets of neurons. Full Text | PDF See also: Article by Endo et al. MeCP2: only 100% will do pp176 - 177 Hsiao-Tuan Chao and Huda Y Zoghbi doi:10.1038/nn.3027 A knock-in mouse mimicking a MeCP2 mutation found in human Rett syndrome recapitulates disease features, including progressive motor and cognitive impairments—and correlations emerge between MeCP2 dosage in mice and phenotype. Full Text | PDF See also: Article by Goffin et al. A computational approach enhances learning in Aplysia  pp178 - 179 L F Abbott and Eric R Kandel doi:10.1038/nn.3030 A mathematical model based on the dynamics of molecular signaling pathways predicts an optimal training regimen that enhances learning and memory. Full Text | PDF See also: Article by Zhang et al. Zooming in on seizures p179 Kalyani Narasimhan doi:10.1038/nn0212-179 Full Text | PDF Neuroscience JOBS of the week Professor of Neurophysiology University of Basel Faculty Positions UFRN CV Starr Foundation Fellowships Princeton Neuroscience Institute Director / Associate Director McGill University Senior Faculty Position University of California More Science jobs from Neuroscience EVENT The Traumatic Brain Injury Conference 06.-07.03.12 Washington DC, US More science events from Review Top Recent advances in the genetic epidemiology and molecular genetics of substance use disorders pp181 - 189 Kenneth S Kendler, Xiangning Chen, Danielle Dick, Hermine Maes, Nathan Gillespie, Michael C Neale and Brien Riley doi:10.1038/nn.3018 This is a review of current advances in the genetics of substance use disorders (SUDs), discussing how both genetic and environmental sources of risk are required to develop a complete picture of SUD etiology. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Brief Communications Top Rhes, a striatal-enriched small G protein, mediates mTOR signaling and L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia pp191 - 193 Srinivasa Subramaniam, Francesco Napolitano, Robert G Mealer, Seyun Kim, Francesco Errico, Roxanne Barrow, Neelam Shahani, Richa Tyagi, Solomon H Snyder and Alessandro Usiello doi:10.1038/nn.2994 The authors report that Rhes, a striatal-specific protein, activates mTOR. Rhes-depleted mice showed reduced dyskinesia, but maintained motor improvement following L-DOPA treatment. First paragraph | Full Text | PDF Emergence of a 'visual number sense' in hierarchical generative models pp194 - 196 Ivilin Stoianov and Marco Zorzi doi:10.1038/nn.2996 This study uses computational modeling to demonstrate how a visual number sense might emerge. The results of the model successfully predict behavior from both non-human primates and human children. First paragraph | Full Text | PDF Articles Top Encapsulated therapeutic stem cells implanted in the tumor resection cavity induce cell death in gliomas pp197 - 204 Timo M Kauer, Jose-Luiz Figueiredo, Shawn Hingtgen and Khalid Shah doi:10.1038/nn.3019 The authors describe a new approach to glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) therapy using therapeutic stem cells encapsulated in biodegradable synthetic extracellular matrix in mouse models of human GBM resection. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Coordinated regulation of cholinergic motor neuron traits through a conserved terminal selector gene pp205 - 214 Paschalis Kratsios, Alberto Stolfi, Michael Levine and Oliver Hobert doi:10.1038/nn.2989 The authors show that the transcription factor UNC-3 acts via a common cis element to regulate the battery of genes that confer cholinergic identity on a subset of motor neurons in the nematode. This study provides further insight into the mechanisms by which the coordination of genetic programs acts to specify neuronal subtypes. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Semaphorin 3E–Plexin-D1 signaling controls pathway-specific synapse formation in the striatum pp215 - 223 Jun B Ding, Won-Jong Oh, Bernardo L Sabatini and Chenghua Gu doi:10.1038/nn.3003 In the striatum, direct pathway and indirect pathway medium spiny neurons (MSNs) receive both cortical and thalamic projections in an intermingled fashion. This study shows that a known axonal repulsive cue system—semaphorin 3E and its receptor Plexin-D1—acts as a determinant of thalamostriatal synapse development, specifically for direct pathway MSNs where presynaptic axons express the ligand and the receptor signals in the postsynaptic MSN target. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Chromatin modification of Notch targets in olfactory receptor neuron diversification pp224 - 233 Keita Endo, M Rezaul Karim, Hiroaki Taniguchi, Alena Krejci, Emi Kinameri, Matthias Siebert, Kei Ito, Sarah J Bray and Adrian W Moore doi:10.1038/nn.2998 This study shows a new molecular mechanism governing olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) subtype diversification from a shared precursor cell. Selection of ORNs in Drosophila is mediated by Notch signaling. Chromatin modifications directed to specific genes targeted by Notch modify the responses to this signal and diversify ORN identity and circuitry. Abstract | Full Text | PDF NAB-1 instructs synapse assembly by linking adhesion molecules and F-actin to active zone proteins pp234 - 242 Poh Hui Chia, Maulik R Patel and Kang Shen doi:10.1038/nn.2991 In this study, the authors show that NAB-1 acts during synaptogenesis to link the F-actin network and the active zone proteins SYD-1 and SYD-2, thereby promoting presynapse assembly in Caenorhabditis elegans. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Uncoupling the roles of synaptotagmin I during endo- and exocytosis of synaptic vesicles pp243 - 249 Jun Yao, Sung E Kwon, Jon D Gaffaney, F Mark Dunning and Edwin R Chapman doi:10.1038/nn.3013 This study demonstrates a direct role for synaptotagmin I in the endocytosis of synaptic vesicles that is distinct from its role in exocytosis. In addition, the authors find that either of the C2 domains of syt1 can act as a calcium sensor during endocytosis. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Heterogeneous reallocation of presynaptic efficacy in recurrent excitatory circuits adapting to inactivity pp250 - 257 Ananya Mitra, Siddhartha S Mitra and Richard W Tsien doi:10.1038/nn.3004 Here, the authors show that chronic blockade of neuronal activity reduces the connectivity of recurrent CA3-CA3 neurons in the rodent hippocampus while the synaptic strength of the remaining recurrent connections increased approximately twofold. They also show that this homeostatic process is mediated by the changes in presynaptic release probability regulated by cyclin-dependent kinase 5. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Neuregulin 1 represses limbic epileptogenesis through ErbB4 in parvalbumin-expressing interneurons pp258 - 266 Guo-He Tan, Yuan-Yuan Liu, Xiao-Ling Hu, Dong-Min Yin, Lin Mei and Zhi-Qi Xiong doi:10.1038/nn.3005 The authors show that in rodents, NRG1-induced activation of ErbB4 in parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory interneurons may serve as a critical endogenous negative-feedback mechanism to suppress limbic epileptogenesis. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Neuregulin 1 regulates excitability of fast-spiking neurons through Kv1.1 and acts in epilepsy pp267 - 273 Ke-Xin Li, Ying-Mei Lu, Zheng-Hao Xu, Jing Zhang, Jun-Ming Zhu, Jian-Ming Zhang, Shu-Xia Cao, Xiao-Juan Chen, Zhong Chen, Jian-Hong Luo, Shumin Duan and Xiao-Ming Li doi:10.1038/nn.3006 In mouse models, the authors find that NRG1-ErbB4 signaling contributes to epilepsy through regulating the excitability of fast-spiking parvalbumin interneurons. ErbB4 expression was also reduced in human epileptogenic tissue. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Rett syndrome mutation MeCP2 T158A disrupts DNA binding, protein stability and ERP responses pp274 - 283 Darren Goffin, Megan Allen, Le Zhang, Maria Amorim, I-Ting Judy Wang, Arith-Ruth S Reyes, Amy Mercado-Berton, Caroline Ong, Sonia Cohen, Linda Hu, Julie A Blendy, Gregory C Carlson, Steve J Siegel, Michael E Greenberg and Zhaolan Zhou doi:10.1038/nn.2997 Rett syndrome (RTT) is caused by mutations in MeCP2. This study describes a new line of knock-in mutant mice that mimics a MeCP2 mutation found in individuals with RTT and recapitulates RTT-like phenotypes, including motor and cognitive impairments. These MeCP2 knock-in mice also have age-dependent abnormalities in audiogenic event-related neuronal information processing. Abstract | Full Text | PDF SK channel modulation rescues striatal plasticity and control over habit in cannabinoid tolerance pp284 - 293 Cristiano Nazzaro, Barbara Greco, Milica Cerovic, Paul Baxter, Tiziana Rubino, Massimo Trusel, Daniela Parolaro, Tatiana Tkatch, Fabio Benfenati, Paola Pedarzani and Raffaella Tonini doi:10.1038/nn.3022 In a mouse model of cannabinoid tolerance, persistent activation of the eCB pathway impairs eCB-mediated long-term depression (LTD) preferentially at connections to striatopallidal neurons. This is associated with a shift in behavioral control from goal-directed action to habitual responding; both LTD and behavioral changes were rescued by modulating small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK channels). Abstract | Full Text | PDF Computational design of enhanced learning protocols pp294 - 297 Yili Zhang, Rong-Yu Liu, George A Heberton, Paul Smolen, Douglas A Baxter, Leonard J Cleary and John H Byrne doi:10.1038/nn.2990 The authors use computational modeling to design an optimized learning protocol that takes into account the precise timing of molecular signaling cascades that are necessary for synaptic facilitation. This study demonstrates how learning and memory can be enhanced by the coordination of biochemical mechanisms and training protocols. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Visual map development depends on the temporal pattern of binocular activity in mice pp298 - 307 Jiayi Zhang, James B Ackman, Hong-Ping Xu and Michael C Crair doi:10.1038/nn.3007 Development of eye-specific segregation and binocularity in the superior colliculus, dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and primary visual cortex is partly attributed to the timing of spontaneous retinal waves, in which bursts of activity are thought to act through a Hebbian learning rule to guide circuit refinement. This study uses the latest optogenetic tools to provide definitive evidence for the binocular activity timing rule—and the specific temporal features of activity—in dictating binocularity development in the mouse visual system. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Bidirectional modulation of fear extinction by mediodorsal thalamic firing in mice pp308 - 314 Sukchan Lee, Touqeer Ahmed, Soojung Lee, Huisu Kim, Sukwoo Choi, Duk-Soo Kim, Sang Jeong Kim, Jeiwon Cho and Hee-Sup Shin doi:10.1038/nn.2999 The mediodorsal thalamus links the medial prefrontal cortex and the amygdala in associative learning process in primates. Using mouse models, this study finds that the dual firing modes of mediodorsal thalamus neurons, tonic and bursting, have opposite effects on fear extinction. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Preferential encoding of visual categories in parietal cortex compared with prefrontal cortex pp315 - 320 Sruthi K Swaminathan and David J Freedman doi:10.1038/nn.3016 Neurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and parietal cortex, including the lateral intraparietal area (LIP), can represent the category membership of stimuli. Category signals in LIP were thought to result from top-down feedback from the PFC. Here the authors show that category signals in the LIP are stronger, more reliable and occur earlier than those in the PFC. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Anatomical connectivity patterns predict face selectivity in the fusiform gyrus pp321 - 327 Zeynep M Saygin, David E Osher, Kami Koldewyn, Gretchen Reynolds, John D E Gabrieli and Rebecca R Saxe doi:10.1038/nn.3001 The authors show that structural connectivity, as measured by diffusion-weighted imaging, can predict functional activation to faces in the fusiform gyrus. The structure-function correspondence developed in one group of subjects outperformed two other predictive models and was able to predict activation in a second group of subjects. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Technical Report Top A new approach to manipulate the fate of single neural stem cells in tissue pp329 - 337 Elena Taverna, Christiane Haffner, Rainer Pepperkok and Wieland B Huttner doi:10.1038/nn.3008 This study describes a microinjection technique that allows for the acute manipulation of individual neural stem cells in organotypic slice cultures via direct delivery of biologically active molecules. Abstract | Full Text | PDF Top Advertisement Take a look at this recent article in The EMBO Journal: CSPa knockout causes neurodegeneration by impairing SNAP-25 function FREE Manu Sharma, Jacqueline Burré, Peter Bronk, Yingsha Zhang, Wei Xu and Thomas C Südhof The EMBO Journal | doi:10.1038/emboj.2011.467   Natureevents is a fully searchable, multi-disciplinary database designed to maximise exposure for events organisers. The contents of the Natureevents Directory are now live. The digital version is available here. 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