Animals need daily intakes of three macronutrients: sugar, protein, and fat. Under fasted conditions, however, animals prioritize sugar as a primary source of energy. They must detect ingested sugar—specifically D-glucose—and quickly report its presence to the brain. Hypothalamic neurons that can respond to the caloric content in the gut regardless of the identity of macronutrient have been identified

Self-related representation can enhance perception and memory—a phenomenon known as the self-referential effect (SRE). While SRE has been linked to the activation of the default mode network (DMN), including the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (Pcu/PCC) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the underlying neurochemical processes of DMN activations remain unclear. The balance of excitation and

This study examined how amyloid burden affects structural and functional brain network topology in subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a risk condition for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Functional and structural brain networks were analyzed in 100 individuals with SCD and 86 normal controls (NC; both sexes included) using resting-state functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging. Topological properties

Reverse transcriptase (RT) activity in the human brain has been inferred through somatic retroinsertion/retrotransposition events; however, actual endogenous enzymatic activities and sources remain unclear. L1 (LINE-1) retrotransposons bicistronically express ORF2, containing RT and endonuclease (EN) domains, and RNA-binding protein ORF1, together enabling L1 retrotransposition and contributing to

The human brain tracks temporal regularities in acoustic signals faithfully. Recent neuroimaging studies have shown complex modulations of synchronized neural activities to the shape of stimulus envelopes. How to connect neural responses to different envelope shapes with listeners’ perceptual ability to synchronize to acoustic rhythms requires further characterization. Here, we examine motor and sensory

Chronic pain presents a widespread and complex clinical puzzle, necessitating theoretical approaches. This study expands upon our evolving comprehension of the brain’s top-down information processing, encompassing functions such as prediction, expectation, and attention. These processes are believed to play a substantial role in shaping both chronic pain and placebo responses. To examine hierarchical

Rats quickly learn to fear a stimulus (e.g., a light) that signals brief but painful footshock. The consolidation of this first-order conditioned fear requires transcription and translation of specific genes in the basolateral amygdala complex (BLA). Rats also learn to fear the associates of first-order conditioned stimuli, such as a sound paired with the already-conditioned light. The consolidation

Neuronal activity in the olfactory bulb (OB) drives coordinated activity in the hippocampal–prefrontal network during early development. Inhibiting OB output in neonatal mice disrupts functional development of the hippocampal formation as well as cognitive abilities. These impairments manifest early in life and resemble dysfunctions of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex that have been linked

While animal studies have found that arousal states modulate visual responses, direct evidence for effects of arousal on human vision remains limited. Here, we used fMRI to examine effects of cognitive arousal on the gain of contrast response functions (CRFs) in human visual cortex. To measure CRFs, we measured BOLD responses in early visual cortex (V1–V3) while participants (n = 20, 14 females and

Spatial frequency (SF) selectivity serves as a fundamental building block within the visual system, determining what we can and cannot see. Attention is theorized to augment the visibility of items in our environment by changing how we process SFs. However, the specific neural mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear, particularly in humans. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging

Dynorphin (DYN)/-opioid receptor (KOR) activation contributes to aversion, dysphoria, sedation, depression, and enhanced psychostimulant-rewarding effects by inhibiting dopamine (DA) release. The precise neuronal mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear, limiting the use of KOR agonists in treating mood and substance use disorders. DYN fibers form synapses with DA terminals that express KOR

Hippocampal sharp-wave ripples (SWRs) are intermittent, fast synchronous oscillations that play a pivotal role in memory formation. It has been well established that SWRs occur during "consummatory behaviors," e.g., eating or drinking a reward for correct action. However, most of typical behavioral experiments using freely moving rodents have not rigorously distinguished between the act of eating/drinking

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) serves as the central circadian clock in mammals, coordinating daily rhythms in both behavior and physiology. In the SCN, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)-producing neurons (GRPNs) are predominantly located in the core region, suggesting their possible involvement in photic entrainment. However, the specific contribution of GRPNs to the regulation of circadian rhythms

The integration of neurotechnology into society has prompted urgent discussions on neurorights (new lists of human rights to regulate neurotechnology) and has led to varied legislative responses across the region that leads this debate: Latin America. Although some countries have responded by pursuing constitutional amendments, others have proposed varied legal reforms, adopted different principles

A recent article makes a claim with far-reaching implications for neuroscience, technology, and society: that the human brain is subject to an information processing ‘speed limit’ of 10 bits per second. Although this speed limit appears to hold for high-level cognitive functions, we argue that unconscious processing for real-time control of movement, which occupies a majority of neurons in the central

Heightened activity in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a brain region that contributes to motivation, emotion, and reward-related decision-making, is a key clinical feature of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the cellular and molecular substrates underlying this dysfunction remain unclear. Here, we performed cell-type-specific profiling of human OFC and unexpectedly mapped MDD-linked epigenomic

The global spread of misinformation is undermining democracies worldwide. In this NeuroView, we explain how neuroscience can inform our basic understanding of what makes the brain susceptible to false information, how it spreads in society, and how neuroscience can help shape and optimize interventions to effectively counter it.

Gait problems in people with Parkinson’s (PD) are increasingly common as disease progresses. Symptoms include freezing of gait (FoG), and a predisposition to falls. The causative pathophysiology is still not completely understood. In this study, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with 18F-fluoro-ethoxy-benzovesamicol (18F-FEOBV), a presynaptic marker of cholinergic terminal density, and 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose

Limbic-predominant age-related TAR-DNA binding protein (TDP-43) encephalopathy neuropathological change (LATE-NC) refers to the aberrant accumulation of TDP-43 in the brains of aging individuals either in isolation or in combination with neurodegenerative disease. LATE-NC is most commonly found in the amygdala and hippocampus and is associated with progressive amnestic decline in individuals with a

Opioid abuse poses a major healthcare challenge. To meet this challenge, the brain mechanisms underlying opioid abuse need to be more systematically characterized. It is commonly thought that the addictive potential of opioids stems from their ability to enhance the activity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons. Indeed, activation of mu opioid receptors (MORs) dis-inhibits VTA dopaminergic

The error negativity or error-related negativity (Ne/ERN), a correlate of errors in choice tasks, is related to post-error adjustments indicating that it signals the need for behavioral adjustments following errors. However, little is known how the error monitoring system selects appropriate post-error adjustments for a given error to ensure that future errors are effectively prevented. This could

Juvenile zebra finches learn to sing by imitating conspecific songs of adults during a sensitive period early in life. Area X is a basal ganglia nucleus of the song control circuit specialized for song-related sensory-motor learning during song development. The structural plasticity and the molecular mechanisms regulating neuronal structure in Area X during song development and maturation are unclear

Imitation plays a key role in the acquisition of speech and cultural behaviors. Studies suggest that social interaction facilitates imitative learning, indicating that neural circuits involved in social behaviors can also influence the process of imitation. Vocal imitation in juvenile songbirds serves as a valuable model to investigate this idea. Here, we explore the mechanisms of tutor–pupil social

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is critical to goal-directed behaviors as the main input structure for limbic pathways to the basal ganglia. The NAc shell is composed of inhibitory projection neurons that receive robust glutamatergic innervation from both the hippocampus and amygdala. In view of primate-specific changes in the neural composition of the NAc, it is still unclear how its circuits are organized

Recognition of a familiar object in a novel location requires retrieval of the former object–place association and encoding of novel information. Such object-in-place (OiP) memory recruits a neural network including the hippocampus (HPC), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and nucleus reuniens of the thalamus (NRe); however, the underlying cellular mechanisms are not understood. Locus ceruleus (LC) noradrenergic

In humans, mutations or deletions of atypical FAT cadherin genes are linked to autism spectrum disorder and cerebellar ataxia. However, their large genomic size and the enormous size of their encoded proteins have hampered functional studies, leaving the roles of FAT cadherins poorly understood. To address this gap, we investigated FAT2—an atypical cadherin selectively expressed in cerebellar granule

The chemokine CXCL12 is a highly conserved peptide that regulates homeostatic processes in the brain throughout life. Recent work shows that CXCL12 increases dendritic spine density in cortical neurons, which requires activation of CXCL12's receptor CXCR4. This same pathway reverses cortical dendritic spine deficits and cognitive impairment in an animal model of neuroHIV. However, it remained unclear

Dopamine modulation of the basal ganglia differs in males and females and is implicated in numerous neuropsychiatric conditions, including some, like Tourette syndrome (TS) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), that have marked sex differences in prevalence. Genetic studies in TS and subsequent work in animals suggest that a loss of histamine may contribute to dysregulation of dopamine

Research on feature-based attention has shown that selecting a specific visual feature (e.g., the color red) results in enhanced processing in early visual cortex, providing the neural basis for the efficient identification of relevant features in many everyday tasks. However, many situations require the selection of entire feature ranges instead of just a single feature value, and recent accounts

Previous studies have found that several neurochemicals are involved in formation of pair bonding. However, the circuit mechanisms underlying pair bonding, especially how these chemicals interact in this circuit to regulate pair bonding, remain unclear. Using male mandarin voles, the present study shows that cohabitation with a partner increased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic

The ability to form decisions is a foundational cognitive function which is impaired across many psychiatric and neurological conditions. Understanding the neural processes underpinning clinical deficits may provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of decision-making. The N2c has been identified as an EEG signal indexing the efficiency of early target selection, which subsequently influences

The human ability to track overlapping and asynchronous time intervals is crucial for a myriad of tasks, from engaging in conversation to driving a car. Additionally, unexpected events can trigger rapid, on-the-fly adjustments, necessitating quick updating of both timing intervals and action planning. Such events require immediate recalibration of decision variables to allow the system to promptly

Feelings of cognitive fatigue emerge through repeated mental exertion and are ubiquitous in our daily lives. However, there is a limited understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the influence of cognitive fatigue on decisions to exert. We use functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants (18 females, 10 males) chose to exert effort for reward, before and after bouts of

Over the course of development, functional sensory representations emerge in the visual cortex. Prior to eye opening, modular patterns of spontaneous activity form long-range networks that may serve as a precursor for mature network organization. Although the spatial structure of these networks has been well studied, their temporal features, which may contribute to their continued plasticity and development

How does our brain transform when we encounter a new task? To fully answer this question, comparing brain states before and after learning may not be enough, but rather an ongoing, continuous monitoring of brain changes during learning is required. While such continuous examinations of functional learning-induced changes are widely available using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a continuous

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphorus pesticide used extensively in agricultural and residential settings for nearly 60 years. Gestational, subacute exposure to chlorpyrifos is linked to increased prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders. Animal studies have modeled these neurobehavioral detriments; however, the functional alterations in the brain induced by this exposure remain largely unknown. To

The nature of motor deficits in Parkinson disease (PD) and aspects of their improvements with ʟ-DOPA replacement therapy (LDRT) offer potential insights into striatal dopamine actions. The defining and most LDRT responsive feature of PD, bradykinesia, is a complex phenomenon exhibiting impairments of both simple and complex limb movements. LDRT significantly remediates the former but not the latter

Spinal interneurons shape motor neuron activity. Gata3+ V2b neurons are a major inhibitory spinal population. These neurons are present at multiple spinal levels in mice, suggesting an important function in motor control. In zebrafish, our previous work showed that V2b neurons are evenly distributed along the spinal cord, where they act to slow down locomotion. However, the timing of V2b activity during

In the intensive care unit (ICU), management of unresponsive patients with brain injury focuses on preventing secondary brain damage. Therapeutic strategies that directly promote the recovery of consciousness are urgently needed. In an investigator-initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial, we studied the effects of apomorphine and methylphenidate in ICU patients with

Perineuronal nets are specialized extracellular matrix structures forming preferentially around parvalbumin interneurons to regulate plasticity. While cortical perineuronal nets have been implicated in sensory plasticity and memory modulation, perineuronal nets of the primary motor cortex have been largely overlooked. We found that transient reduction of primary motor cortex perineuronal nets by ChABC

Loss-of-function mutations in the transcription factor POU3F2 have been identified in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. To elucidate the mechanistic role of POU3F2 in human neurodevelopment, we induced POU3F2 disruption in human neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Mutation of POU3F2 in NPCs causes reduced baseline canonical Wnt signalling and decreased proliferation, resulting in premature

Dystonin (DST) encodes three major isoforms, DST-a, DST-b, and DST-e. Biallelic pathogenic variants in DST have previously been associated with two allelic monogenic disorders: Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy type VI (caused by a loss of DST-a) and Epidermolysis bullosa simplex 3 (caused by a loss of DST-e). We investigated patients diagnosed with congenital myopathy using exome or genome

As animals adapt to new situations, neuromodulation is a potent way to alter behavior, yet mechanisms by which neuromodulatory nuclei compute during behavior are underexplored. The serotonergic raphe supports motor learning in larval zebrafish by visually detecting distance traveled during swims, encoding action effectiveness, and modulating motor vigor. We tracked the raphe’s input-output computations

This scientific commentary refers to ‘The association of seizure control with neuropathology in dementia’ by Zawar et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf017).

De novo or autosomal dominant BAG3 gene variants cause a wide range of skeletal and cardiac muscle diseases encompassing Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, myofibrillar myopathy, cardiomyopathy or a combination of them. Given the severity and rarity of BAG3-neuromuscular diseases (NMD), series of patients are lacking. Our aim was to characterize the clinical and genetic spectrum as well as the natural history

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic disease of the brain, and it currently continues at crisis proportions in the United States. Opioid physical withdrawal is a major driver of compulsive drug-taking behavior, triggering short-term relapse of opioid addiction. Early pharmacological evidence shows that midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays an important role in morphine withdrawal (MW). However