EMERGING IDEAS IN NEURAL SCIENCE

Nature Neuroscience

• A checkpoint to pain
  The checkpoint pathway consisting of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its receptor, PD-1, modulates immune function in cancer and infection, but unexpectedly, it also silences pain signals in nerves.
  Rohini Kuner
• Direction selectivity starts early
  Disruption of retinal direction selectivity reveals both peripheral and central computations contributing to direction selectivity in mouse visual cortex. These mechanisms work together to better encode motion directions and speeds.
  Huizhong W Tao
• The thalamic paradox
  Most thalamic research has focused on sensory transmission. Now three independent groups reveal the thalamus to be critical in behaviors linked to frontal cortex and the maintenance of persistent cortical activity during delays.
  László Acsády
• Sampling memory to make profitable choices
  A computational model explains how memories of past rewards guide value-based choices. Incorporating behavioral and functional MRI evidence, the findings indicate that 'sampling' from individual memories of past rewards influences choices.
  Nicole M Long
• Reduced sensory synaptic excitation impairs motor neuron function via Kv2.1 in spinal muscular atrophy
  The authors show that in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), there is a reduction in sensory synaptic drive that leads to motor neuron dysfunction and motor behavior impairments. SMA motor neurons showed a lower surface expression of Kv2.1 potassium channels and reduced spiking ability. Increasing neuronal activity pharmacologically led to the no […]
  George Z Mentis
• PD-L1 inhibits acute and chronic pain by suppressing nociceptive neuron activity via PD-1
  The authors identify programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), an immunity suppressor produced by cancer cells, as a new pain inhibitor and a neuromodulator. They report that PD-L1 is produced by melanoma and normal neural tissues and that it inhibits acute and chronic pain. Via activation of PD-1, its receptor, PD-L1 decreases the excitability of nociceptive […]
  Ru-Rong Ji
• The cellular mechanism for water detection in the mammalian taste system
  The authors find that mammalian acid-sensing taste receptor cells, previously shown to be putative sour taste sensors, also mediate responses to water. Optogenetic activation of this population of cells in thirsty mice induced robust drinking response in the absence of water. This study shows that acid-sensing TRCs contribute to the detection of water in the […]
  Yuki Oka
• Cancer-induced anorexia and malaise are mediated by CGRP neurons in the parabrachial nucleus
  Most cancer patients experience loss of appetite and feelings of illness, which contribute to cancer-related deaths and morbidity. The authors demonstrate that, in mice, activation of a subset of neurons in the parabrachial nucleus mediate cancer-induced anorexia and associated sickness behaviors.
  Michael W Schwartz