Trends in Neurosciences最新文献

Cross-modal generalization enables animals to adapt to changing environments. In a recent paper, Guyoton, Matteucci, et al. demonstrated that a dorsal cortical region enables visuo-tactile generalization by constructing peri-personal space representations. These findings expand current understanding of the neural circuits supporting perceptual generalization across sensory modalities.

The brain regulates breathing in response to changes in CO₂/H⁺ by a process referred to as respiratory chemoreception. The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) is essential for this function. RTN neurons are intrinsically activated by CO₂/H⁺. Astrocytes contribute as well, by providing a CO₂/H⁺-dependent purinergic drive to augment neural activity directly and indirectly by causing vasoconstriction. Here, we summarize preclinical studies in rodents that identify: (i) mechanisms of CO₂/H⁺ detection by RTN neurons; (ii) how this information is integrated at the neural network level; and (iii) how RTN neural activity is shaped by CO₂/H⁺ sensitive astrocytes. We also discuss how disruption of RTN chemoreception might contribute to breathing problems in disease, and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting CO₂/H⁺-dependent and -independent regulatory elements of RTN neurons.

Astrocytes are glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that perform an array of diverse functions that are essential for brain activity. Studies on the functional diversity of astrocytes suggest that such diversity may be derived from specialized populations. We provide an overview of the current state of research on astrocyte diversity and outline current challenges and knowledge gaps while also examining the developmental origins of these populations and how their interactions with neurons contribute to their functional heterogeneity. We highlight recent studies that provide evidence for functionally diverse astrocyte populations under homeostatic conditions and as an adaptive response to a range of experiences. This review provides a framework for understanding the dynamic and heterogeneous features of astrocytes across the CNS.

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) encompasses non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, such as transcranial direct and alternating current stimulation, which modulate the central nervous system to probe causal links between the brain and behavior and treat disorders. Unfortunately, fixed stimulation paradigms induce variable effects due to intra- and interindividual factors. Consequently, personalized approaches to tES are increasingly used. In this review, we highlight this emerging domain of human brain stimulation, examining strategies for the personalization of stimulation parameters and their underlying rationales. Multiparameter personalization and the identification of markers indicating tES efficacy represent promising directions. Personalization is not a panacea for all the challenges of tES, but marks an essential step toward reducing the variability of this technique.

Accumulating evidence over several years suggests that microbial infections (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi) may play a role in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, we discuss the reported associations between a variety of microbes and the development of AD, as well as potential causal relationships between infections and AD risk. Having evaluated the current state of knowledge, we make specific recommendations for what it would take to present definitive evidence that chronic infections play a causal role in AD pathogenesis.

Teixeira et al. present UltraID-light-inducible protein aggregation (UltraID-LIPA), a technique that combines optogenetic induction of α-synuclein aggregation with proximity-based proteomics. This system enables high-resolution capture of early aggregation events in live cells and implicates known and novel endolysosomal proteins, offering a robust framework for dissecting early pathogenic mechanisms in synucleinopathies and guiding future innovations.

Stress has profound impacts on the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, the complex and opposing effects of stress on the VTA have limited our ability to reach a clear understanding of how adaptation of the VTA can drive behavior following stress. In this review we provide an overview of VTA responses to acute and chronic stress, with a primary focus on studies in mice and rats. We propose that divergent responses to stress arise from the heterogeneity of VTA neurons, the multidimensional nature of stress, and interactive effects between cumulative stressors. We suggest that the robust and varied plasticity of the VTA in response to stress indicates a role for the VTA as an integrator of homeostatic and affective information during stress to drive flexible and nuanced adjustments in behavioral adaptation.

Microglia are involved in many aspects of postnatal brain development and neuronal plasticity. This article questions some of the assumptions inherent in current experimental models used to analyze microglial ontogeny and function which likely underestimate the contributions of blood monocytes to brain homeostasis. It summarizes evidence from animal models of congenital microglial deficiency that postnatal neuronal development and synaptic refinement do not require the presence of microglia. Instead, the absence of microglia is associated with accelerated progression in disease models and age-dependent neuropathology in humans, implying that the major essential function of microglia is to protect against neuronal injury.

In the brain, maintaining the appropriate levels of excitation and inhibition is required for proper cognitive function. Inhibitory neurons, essential for maintaining this balance and implicated in various neurodevelopmental diseases, are generated during embryonic development from the ganglionic eminences (GEs). This review discusses the importance of inhibitory neuronal subtypes generated from the most posterior GE subregion, the caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE), highlighting what is known about their developmental origins, diversity, and functions in mice, humans, and non-human primates. By reviewing the molecular composition and patterning of the CGE, we discuss how technological advances have provided insights into the spatial heterogeneity of progenitor populations and the distinctive molecular characteristics and functions of CGE-derived neurons.

Tangled molecular, cellular, and dynamic undercurrents shape brain organization. An emerging paradigm across neuroscience domains is to comprehensively measure the spatial patterning of multiple biological features, yielding precise brain maps. How can these features be conceptually integrated into a coherent understanding of brain structure and function? Here we review the methodology and practice of interpreting relationships between maps of biological features. We demonstrate how neuroscience can increasingly be approached as a data science, complete with detailed multiomic datasets, tools for representing diverse data types, and an extensive repertoire of analytics. We also outline methodological and conceptual challenges for disentangling relationships among brain maps. Ultimately, studying the brain from an integrative perspective changes the nature of scientific questions that can be asked, as well as the culture and conduct of scientific inquiry.