1. How neurons grow

There's another layer of complexity in the developing nervous system: Spontaneous neuronal activity can regulate the differentiation of neurons, which can in turn affect swimming behavior in frog larvae.

M. Demarque et al., Neuron 2010 Jul 29 67(2):321-34. Eval by Keith Sillar, University of St Andrews; Judith S Eisen, University of Oregon; Antonia Marin-Burgin and Alejandro Schinde, Leloir Institute ID: 4525956

2. Big role for astrocytes

Neurons transfected with a disease- associated huntingtin protein Image: Wikimedia commons, Dr. Steven Finkbeiner, Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease

Once thought to be mere supporting cells, astrocytes in the brainstem are highly chemosensitive and appear to play a role in breathing.

A.V. Gourine et al., Science 2010 Jul 30 329(5991):571-5. Eval by Tom Finger, Univ. Colorado Denver Sch. Medicine; Matt E Carter and Luis de Lecea, Stanford University ID: 4672017

3. Retina, redux

Photosensitive ganglion cells, which were only discovered in the mammalian retina in the early 1990s, play a greater role in visual function than previously believed, suggesting that the current understanding of retinal physiology may need to be revisited.

J.L. Ecker et al., Neuron 2010 Jul 15 67(1):49-60. Eval by Roger Hardie, University of Cambridge; Steven Repper, University of Massachusetts Medical School ID: 4242997

4. Addiction answers

Drug addiction may be caused by a loss in synaptic plasticity, which inhibits new learning and makes drug use more compulsive.

F. Kasanetz et al., Science 2010 Jun 25 328(5986):1709-12. Eval by Charles Pickens, Donna Calu and Yavin Shaham, National Institute on Drug Abuse; Rainer Spanagel, Central Institute of Mental Health, Germany Pharmacology & Drug Discovery ID: 4077956

5. Source of mechanotransduction?

Researchers pinpoint the molecular identity of a mechanosensitive channel in C. elegans, suggesting a possible starting point for the hunt for mechanotransduction channels mediating hearing, touch, and propioception in mammals.

L. Kang et al., Neuron 2010 Aug 12 67(3):381-391. Eval by Roger Hardie, University of Cambridge; Paul Garrity, Brandeis University ID: 4765957

6. How huntingtin hurts

New clues have emerged to how a defective form of the huntingtin protein may cause the deadly changes that lead to Huntington's disease -- by potentially disrupting the process of neurogenesis, thereby decreasing neural progenitor cells.

J.D. Godin et al., Neuron 2010 Aug 12 67(3):392-406. Eval by Monte Gates, Keele University; Mark Fortini, National Cancer Institute ID: 4903959

7. Mass migration in vivo

Using a novel technique, researchers discover clues about what guides the migration of neural crest cells in a developing embryo, providing insights into both embryogenesis and cancer metastasis, where collective cell migration also plays a role.

E. Theveneau et al., Dev Cell 2010 Jul 20 19(1):39-53. Eval by Ravi Desai and Christopher Chen, University of Pennsylvania; Tina Schwabe and Thomas Clandinin, Stanford University ID: 4576956

The F1000 Top 7 is a snapshot of the highest ranked articles from a 30-day period on Faculty of 1000 Neuroscience, as calculated on August 27, 2010. Faculty Members evaluate and rate the most important papers in their field. To see the latest rankings, search the database, and read daily evaluations, visit http://f1000.com.


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