Nature Neuroscience Contents: November 2014 Volume 17 Number 11, pp 1429 - 1622

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News and Views Top Converting Drosophobia into Drosophila   pp1430 - 1432 Meng-Fu Maxwell Shih and Josh Dubnau doi:10.1038/nn.3845 Fruit flies seek water, but only when they are thirsty. And imbibing is rewarding only to water-deprived individuals. The effects of thirst on water seeking and on formation of associative memories of drinking water each are mediated by distinct sets of dopamine neurons that innervate restricted zones of the mushroom bodies in the fly brain. See also: Article by Lin et al. Bilingual neurons release glutamate and GABA   pp1432 - 1434 Naoshige Uchida doi:10.1038/nn.3840 A study finds evidence supporting co-release of glutamate and GABA, excitatory and inhibitory fast neurotransmitters, from a single axon terminal in neurons of the ventral tegmental area that project to the lateral habenula. See also: Article by Root et al. Cortical adaptation and tactile perception   pp1434 - 1436 Hongdian Yang and Daniel H O'Connor doi:10.1038/nn.3847 Cortical neurons reduce spiking responses to repetitive sensory stimulation, but the perceptual impact of this adaptation has been difficult to assess. Work now shows that it has profound consequences for tactile perception. See also: Article by Musall et al. A local anchor for the brain's compass   pp1436 - 1437 Martin J Chadwick and Hugo J Spiers doi:10.1038/nn.3841 Retrosplenial cortex neurons provide a signal akin to a compass readout. Evidence in humans now demonstrates that these neurons anchor their representations locally, locking to the geometry of a room rather than to the city beyond. See also: Article by Marchette et al. Pain and the PAG: learning from painful mistakes   pp1438 - 1439 Falk Eippert and Irene Tracey doi:10.1038/nn.3844 Jeremy Bentham distilled animal behavior as avoiding pain and seeking pleasure. Now, using a combination of different methodological approaches, Roy et al. identify a neural mechanism relevant for learning to avoid pain. See also: Article by Roy et al. Neuroscience JOBS of the week Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the Decision Neuroscience Laboratory University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign Post-Doctoral Fellow in Sensory Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, Electronic Microscopy Standford University Postdoc Position in Neuroscience � Glial Biology and Pathology Shriners Hospitals for Children Assistant Professor, Neuroscience (Tenure Eligible) University of Arizona Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience Emory University More Science jobs from Neuroscience EVENT 17th International Neuroscience Winter Conference 2015 07.04.15 Soelden, Austria More science events from Commentaries Top Putting big data to good use in neuroscience   pp1440 - 1441 Terrence J Sejnowski, Patricia S Churchland and J Anthony Movshon doi:10.1038/nn.3839 Neuroscience is poised to collect Big Data sets. In this Commentary, the authors argue that, to exploit its full potential, there need to be ways to standardize, integrate and synthesize diverse types of data and that this will require a cultural shift to a central role for theorists in neuroscience research. Big data from small data: data-sharing in the 'long tail' of neuroscience   pp1442 - 1447 Adam R Ferguson, Jessica L Nielson, Melissa H Cragin, Anita E Bandrowski and Maryann E Martone doi:10.1038/nn.3838 In this Commentary, Martone and colleagues discuss the potential benefits of sharing small datasets, also called “long-tail” data, in the Neuroscience community. They introduce the pros and cons associated with data sharing, describe the existing attitudes toward such initiative, introduce best practices and offer their views on why and how the field should establish a credit system for sharing “long-tail” data. Perspectives Top The big data challenges of connectomics   pp1448 - 1454 Jeff W Lichtman, Hanspeter Pfister and Nir Shavit doi:10.1038/nn.3837 Due to recent technological developments in acquisition techniques, the field of electron microscopy-based connectomics now produces colossal amounts of data. Here, the authors discuss the practical and analytical challenges associated with such large amounts of data and propose some solutions to surmount them. Big behavioral data: psychology, ethology and the foundations of neuroscience   pp1455 - 1462 Alex Gomez-Marin, Joseph J Paton, Adam R Kampff, Rui M Costa and Zachary F Mainen doi:10.1038/nn.3812 In this Perspective, the authors discuss the recent surge in the collection of "big behavioral data" and how it might contribute to the understanding of how the brain controls behavior. They also highlight the challenges of making sense of increasing amounts of behavioral data. Reviews Top Decoding neural transcriptomes and epigenomes via high-throughput sequencing   pp1463 - 1475 Jaehoon Shin, Guo-li Ming and Hongjun Song doi:10.1038/nn.3814 This article reviews various next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and how they may be applied to the studies of the central nervous system. Specifically, the authors summarize practical information about when and how NGS may be applied to the studies of brain function, highlighting pros and cons of each technique for the unique challenges of studying a mixed population of targets. Analytical tools and current challenges in the modern era of neuroepigenomics   pp1476 - 1490 Ian Maze, Li Shen, Bin Zhang, Benjamin A Garcia, Ningyi Shao et al. doi:10.1038/nn.3816 In this review, the authors discuss the applications of epigenomics approaches to studies of the CNS and critique the tools available to analyze neuroepigenomics data. They also assess the challenges of integrating these data with that of other approaches, such as transcriptomics, proteomics and behavior. Decoding neuroproteomics: integrating the genome, translatome and functional anatomy   pp1491 - 1499 Robert R Kitchen, Joel S Rozowsky, Mark B Gerstein and Angus C Nairn doi:10.1038/nn.3829 A full understanding of the biology and function of the numerous cell types that comprise the nervous system requires analysis of their transcriptional and translational profiles. In this Review article, the authors discuss the methods for overcoming the challenges that accompany the collection of large proteomic datasets and their integration with other data modalities. Dimensionality reduction for large-scale neural recordings   pp1500 - 1509 John P Cunningham and Byron M Yu doi:10.1038/nn.3776 Many recent studies have adopted dimensionality reduction to analyze neural population activity and to find features that are not apparent at the level of individual neurons. The authors describe the scientific motivation for population analyses and the dimensionality reduction methods commonly applied to population activity. They also offer practical advice about selecting methods and interpreting their outputs. Making big data open: data sharing in neuroimaging   pp1510 - 1517 Russell A Poldrack and Krzysztof J Gorgolewski doi:10.1038/nn.3818 Neuroimagers have collected large datasets and many of these are now available online. In this review the authors discuss the current state of sharing task-based fMRI data and the many challenges it poses. Advertisement NeuroMag to transfect primary neurons and neuronal cells   Based on the Magnetofection™ technology, NeuroMag is a unique transfection reagent dedicated to transfect nervous system cells with high efficiency from DIV 1 to DIV 21. Hippocampal, cortical, motor neurons, neural stem cells, dopaminergic...have been successfully transfected. Check our citations database at http://www.ozbiosciences.com/.   Articles Top Modulation of oligodendrocyte generation during a critical temporal window after NG2 cell division   pp1518 - 1527 Robert A Hill, Kiran D Patel, Christopher M Goncalves, Jaime Grutzendler and Akiko Nishiyama doi:10.1038/nn.3815 Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) retain their proliferative/differentiation capacity throughout life. This study uses in vivo and ex vivo imaging to show a specific temporal window between OPC division and oligodendrocyte differentiation in the postnatal mouse brain that is modulated by the microenvironment. The latency between OPC division and differentiation is shortened by myelin damage, while sensory deprivation reduces the survival of divided OPCs undergoing differentiation. Cortical neurogenesis in the absence of centrioles   pp1528 - 1535 Ryan Insolera, Hisham Bazzi, Wei Shao, Kathryn V Anderson and Song-Hai Shi doi:10.1038/nn.3831 Radial glial progenitors (RGPs) in the developing mouse cortex generate excitatory neurons during development. This study examines the role of centriole-related protein Sas4, the mutation of which causes microcephaly in human brain, and shows that centrosome and centriole act to anchor RGPs in the ventricular zone during embryonic neurogenesis. By preventing cell death of RGPs without centrioles, the study also shows that cleavage plane orientation of cell division is not essential for radial glial progenitors' self-renewal. Neural correlates of water reward in thirsty Drosophila   pp1536 - 1542 Suewei Lin, David Owald, Vikram Chandra, Clifford Talbot, Wolf Huetteroth et al. doi:10.1038/nn.3827 Using the Drosophila system, this study shows that rewarding and motivational properties of water are mediated by different subsets of dopaminergic neurons. The study also shows a satiety state-dependent effect in which thirst can change water avoidance behavior into water-seeking behavior and demonstrates that water wanting versus liking versus learning are separable at the level of behavior and the underlying neural circuit. See also: News and Views by Maxwell Shih & Dubnau Single rodent mesohabenular axons release glutamate and GABA   pp1543 - 1551 David H Root, Carlos A Mejias-Aponte, Shiliang Zhang, Hui-Ling Wang, Alexander F Hoffman et al. doi:10.1038/nn.3823 The ventral tegmental area (VTA) and lateral habenula (LHb) are reciprocally connected. Here the authors show, using electron microscopy, tract tracing and optogenetics in rodents, that the majority of VTA neurons innervating LHb release both GABA and glutamate at the same synaptic terminals. See also: News and Views by Uchida Visualizing an emotional valence map in the limbic forebrain by TAI-FISH   pp1552 - 1559 Jianbo Xiu, Qi Zhang, Tao Zhou, Ting-ting Zhou, Yang Chen et al. doi:10.1038/nn.3813 This study describes the segregated neural representations at single cell level and in whole brain when mice are presented with positive and negative emotional stimuli given in succession. Using a newly developed technique called tyramide-amplified-immunohistochemistry-fluorescence in situ hybridization (TAI-FISH) to label multiple neuronal populations, the authors demonstrate specific overlap and divergence of neuronal activation pattern to different emotional stimuli. A somatosensory circuit for cooling perception in mice   pp1560 - 1566 Nevena Milenkovic, Wen-Jie Zhao, Jan Walcher, Tobias Albert, Jan Siemens et al. doi:10.1038/nn.3828 The authors devised a new behavioral task to study cooling perception in head-fixed mice. Using whole-cell recordings from layer 2/3 neurons in the somatosensory cortex, they reveal that the same neurons that respond to mechanical stimulation of the skin also respond to its cooling. In addition, they find that both the perception of cooling and the cooling responses in S1 are eliminated in TRPM8 knockout mice. Tactile frequency discrimination is enhanced by circumventing neocortical adaptation   pp1567 - 1573 Simon Musall, Wolfger von der Behrens, Johannes M Mayrhofer, Bruno Weber, Fritjof Helmchen et al. doi:10.1038/nn.3821 During adaptation, neocortical responses change as a result of repeated sensory stimulation, but it's unclear how this affects perception. Here the authors use optogenetics to mimic sensory evoked cortical responses with or without adaptation. They find adaptation impairs frequency discrimination but enhances change detection during whisker stimulation. See also: News and Views by Yang & O'Connor Neural antecedents of self-initiated actions in secondary motor cortex   pp1574 - 1582 Masayoshi Murakami, M Inês Vicente, Gil M Costa and Zachary F Mainen doi:10.1038/nn.3826 Using in vivo recording of neuronal activities in rat secondary motor cortex and devising a novel task of waiting before performing an action, Murakami et al. show a neural correlate of voluntary action initiation. The study also shows population activity and computational modeling data that correspond to action timing of voluntary action that are consistent with integration-to-bound theories of decision making. Social learning and amygdala disruptions in Nf1 mice are rescued by blocking p21-activated kinase   pp1583 - 1590 Andrei I Molosh, Philip L Johnson, John P Spence, David Arendt, Lauren M Federici et al. doi:10.1038/nn.3822 Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is associated with social dysfunction in children. Here the authors show that Nf1 heterozygous mice have deficits in social memory associated with alterations in amygdala plasticity and Map kinase signaling. Global deletion or amygdala-specific pharmacological inhibition of Pak1 rescued social deficits in Nf1 heterozygous mice. Attention can either increase or decrease spike count correlations in visual cortex   pp1591 - 1597 Douglas A Ruff and Marlene R Cohen doi:10.1038/nn.3835 This recording study shows that attention can increase or decrease correlations between fluctuations in the responses of pairs of neurons, depending on task demands. These results suggest that attention can flexibly modulate such spike count correlations, independent of changes in firing rate and provide constraints on possible neuronal mechanisms. Anchoring the neural compass: coding of local spatial reference frames in human medial parietal lobe   pp1598 - 1606 Steven A Marchette, Lindsay K Vass, Jack Ryan and Russell A Epstein doi:10.1038/nn.3834 Although head direction cells are known to encode information related to an organism's heading, it is unclear how the brain integrates this with information provided by fixed environmental features. In this study, the authors show that the retrosplenial complex is important for encoding heading and facing direction based on local landmarks and that this process generalizes across different environments that have similar geometry. See also: News and Views by Chadwick & Spiers Representation of aversive prediction errors in the human periaqueductal gray   pp1607 - 1612 Mathieu Roy, Daphna Shohamy, Nathaniel Daw, Marieke Jepma, G Elliott Wimmer et al. doi:10.1038/nn.3832 This study uses fMRI in humans to find that prediction errors about pain are encoded in the periaqueductal gray. Modeling inter-area connectivity suggests that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the putamen pass on a value-related signal to this midbrain structure, which then conveys predictor error signals to prefrontal regions that regulate behavior. See also: News and Views by Eippert & Tracey Hierarchical competitions subserving multi-attribute choice   pp1613 - 1622 Laurence T Hunt, Raymond J Dolan and Timothy E J Behrens doi:10.1038/nn.3836 This study uses a combination of human fMRI and computational modeling to show that decision-making can be explained by a hierarchical model involving competition between different options at many different levels of representation. These results do not support a model where competition happens only at a final choice stage. Top Advertisement Nature has once again been ranked the N0.1 weekly science journal with an Impact Factor of 42.351*. Subscribe to Nature for only $42, £42 or €42. You will receive print, online and app access, providing unbelievable value for money. This is a limited time offer - so don't miss out and subscribe today! *2013 Journal Citation Reports® (Thomson Reuters, 2014)   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. Find the latest scientific conferences, courses, meetings and symposia on natureevents.com. For event advertising opportunities across the Nature Publishing Group portfolio please contact natureevents@nature.com More Nature Events

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