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The formation of a heteromer between cannabinoid 1 receptor and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 2A in the brain is required for cannabinoid-induced cognitive impairment, but not analgesia, in mice.
Emerging evidence suggests a role for the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.9 in pain. In this Progress article, Dib-Hajj, Black and Waxman analyse the findings from three studies that report mutations in the gene encoding NaV1.9 in pain disorders, and suggest that NaV1.9 may be a potential therapeutic target for pain.
Memory storage is thought to be mediated by lasting physical changes, or engrams, in the brain. In this Review, Josselyn and colleagues discuss characteristics of the engram and describe the recent progress that has been made in identifying neurons involved in specific engrams.
Schizophrenia is characterized by various neurocognitive deficits, including impairments in auditory function. In this Review, Javitt and Sweet examine the behavioural, neurophysiological and structural evidence for auditory cortical dysfunction in this disorder and explore some of the possible underlying mechanisms.
Recent years have seen considerable interest in the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this Review, Thomas Bourgeron examines the genetic architecture of this disorder and how ASD-linked mutations might affect synaptic plasticity, before exploring the synaptic homeostasis hypothesis of ASD.
Individuals with Down syndrome have an enhanced risk of developing early onset Alzheimer disease. Here, the authors describe the features of Alzheimer disease in Down syndrome and show how understanding the genetic and pathogenic mechanisms of this form of Alzheimer disease may shed light on more general mechanisms of neurodegeneration.
