Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roey Schurr, Aviv A. Mezer
Summary: The study developed a method based on Nissl staining technique to quantify the structure and orientation of axons, applicable to various datasets. Utilizing structure tensor analysis, fine details of axonal architecture can be extracted effectively.
Article
Neurosciences
Patrick Friedrich, Stephanie J. Forkel, Celine Amiez, Joshua H. Balsters, Olivier Coulon, Lingzhong Fan, Alexandros Goulas, Fadila Hadj-Bouziane, Erin E. Hecht, Katja Heuer, Tianzi Jiang, Robert D. Latzman, Xiaojin Liu, Kep Kee Loh, Kaustubh R. Patil, Alizee Lopez-Persem, Emmanuel Procyk, Jerome Sallet, Roberto Toro, Sam Vickery, Susanne Weis, Charles R. E. Wilson, Ting Xu, Valerio Zerbi, Simon B. Eickoff, Daniel S. Margulies, Rogier B. Mars, Michel Thiebaut de Schotten
Summary: Evolution strikes a balance between ancestral history and current adaptations in animals. Comparing species can provide insights into evolutionary history, while comparative neuroimaging uses MRI to identify similarities and differences in brain structure and function across species.
Article
Neurosciences
Rui Xu, Narcisse P. Bichot, Atsushi Takahashi, Robert Desimone
Summary: This study reveals the connectivity between the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) and the rest of the cortex. The results show isomorphic mappings between LPFC and other major processing domains, suggesting LPFC's role in coordinating activity within and across these domains.
Article
Neurosciences
Kenneth L. Chiou, Alex R. DeCasien, Katherina P. Rees, Camille Testard, Cailyn H. Spurrell, Aishwarya A. Gogate, Hannah A. Pliner, Sebastien Tremblay, Arianne Mercer, Connor J. Whalen, Josue E. Negron-Del Valle, Mareike C. Janiak, Samuel E. Bauman Surratt, Olga Gonzalez, Nicole R. Compo, Michala K. Stock, Angelina Ruiz-Lambides, Melween Martinez, Melissa A. Wilson, Amanda D. Melin, Susan C. Anton, Christopher S. Walker, Jerome Sallet, Jason M. Newbern, Lea M. Starita, Jay Shendure, James P. Higham, Lauren J. N. Brent, Michael J. Montague, Michael L. Platt, Noah Snyder-Mackler
Summary: This study provides insights into the biological mechanisms underlying brain aging in a nonhuman primate model of human behavior, cognition, and health. The researchers analyzed a multiregion bulk and single-nucleus brain transcriptional dataset from free-ranging rhesus macaques, and found age-related changes in gene expression associated with neural functions and neurological diseases. The study also revealed a link between higher social status in females and younger relative transcriptional ages.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Mean-Hwan Kim, Cristina Radaelli, Elliot R. Thomsen, Deja Monet, Thomas Chartrand, Nikolas L. Jorstad, Joseph T. Mahoney, Michael J. Taormina, Brian Long, Katherine Baker, Trygve E. Bakken, Luke Campagnola, Tamara Casper, Michael Clark, Nick Dee, Florence D'Orazi, Clare Gamlin, Brian E. Kalmbach, Sara Kebede, Brian R. Lee, Lindsay Ng, Jessica Trinh, Charles Cobbs, Ryder P. Gwinn, C. Dirk Keene, Andrew L. Ko, Jeffrey G. Ojemann, Daniel L. Silbergeld, Staci A. Sorensen, Jim Berg, Kimberly A. Smith, Philip R. Nicovich, Tim Jarsky, Hongkui Zeng, Jonathan T. Ting, Boaz P. Levi, Ed Lein
Summary: The study investigates synaptic properties between excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the human cortex, finding that the short-term plasticity of synaptic connections depends on the molecular identity of inhibitory neurons. This indicates the existence of target cell-specific synaptic properties and suggests evolutionary conservation of connectivity principles.
Article
Biology
Mean-Hwan Kim, Cristina Radaelli, Elliot R. Thomsen, Deja Monet, Thomas Chartrand, Nikolas L. Jorstad, Joseph T. Mahoney, Michael J. Taormina, Brian Long, Katherine Baker, Trygve E. Bakken, Luke Campagnola, Tamara Casper, Michael Clark, Nick Dee, Florence D'Orazi, Clare Gamlin, Brian E. Kalmbach, Sara Kebede, Brian R. Lee, Lindsay Ng, Jessica Trinh, Charles Cobbs, Ryder P. Gwinn, C. Dirk Keene, Andrew L. Ko, Jeffrey G. Ojemann, Daniel L. Silbergeld, Staci A. Sorensen, Jim Berg, Kimberly A. Smith, Philip R. Nicovich, Tim Jarsky, Hongkui Zeng, Jonathan T. Ting, Boaz P. Levi, Ed Lein
Summary: This study investigates the synaptic properties between excitatory pyramidal neurons and inhibitory PVALB- vs. SST-positive interneurons in the human cortex. The results show robust molecular differences in synapse-associated genes between these neuron types and heterogeneous synaptic dynamics in different postsynaptic cell types. The findings suggest the existence of target cell-specific synaptic properties in the human cortex, similar to rodents, indicating an evolutionary conservation of local circuit connectivity motifs from excitatory to inhibitory neurons and their synaptic dynamics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gustavo Deco, Morten L. Kringelbach, Aurina Arnatkeviciute, Stuart Oldham, Kristina Sabaroedin, Nigel C. Rogasch, Kevin M. Aquino, Alex Fornito
Summary: Transcriptional variations in excitatory and inhibitory receptor gene expression play a key role in shaping complex neuronal dynamics, yielding both ignition-like dynamics and a wide variance of regional activity time scales. This study demonstrates the viability of using transcriptomic data to constrain models of large-scale brain function.
Article
Neurosciences
Natalia Lopez-Gonzalez del Rey, Miguel Angel Garcia-Cabezas
Summary: This review article summarizes the developmental, cellular, structural, and connectional features of the primate striatum and relates them to patterns of neurodegeneration in humans and non-human primate models. By understanding the primate anatomy and its relation to human pathology, new insights into the molecular, cellular, and connectional factors underlying the degeneration of striatal neurons and circuits can be gained. The article provides an overview of the types of neurons, cyto-, myelo-, and chemoarchitecture, developmental origin, organization of corticostriatal projections, and the topography and time-course of neurodegenerative diseases in both humans and non-human primates.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brian G. Rash, Jon I. Arellano, Alvaro Duque, Pasko Rakic
Summary: The convolutions of the mammalian cerebral cortex allow for enlargement of its surface and the addition of new functional areas while minimizing expansion of the skull. Neurodevelopmental disorders in humans are often associated with impaired cortical folding. Research suggests that the primary forces driving cortical folding include neuronal growth, formation of neuropil, glial cell intercalation, and the growth of subcortical white matter.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jinpeng Niu, Qing Jiao, Dong Cui, Ruhai Dou, Yongxin Guo, Guanghui Yu, Xiaotong Zhang, Fengzhu Sun, Jianfeng Qiu, Li Dong, Weifang Cao
Summary: This study reveals the heterogeneous patterns of structural changes in the aging human brain and their association with cognition. The authors investigated the relationship between cortical morphometric similarity networks and brain-wide gene transcription using neuroimaging data and a transcriptome dataset. They found reproducible change patterns in the morphometric similarity networks of cognitive and sensorimotor related areas with age. Furthermore, these changes were spatially correlated with the expression of age-related genes that are involved in synaptic-related biological processes. The transcription changes in astrocytes, microglia, and neuronal cells played a significant role in the age-related morphometric similarity network changes. Overall, this study provides insights into the molecular and cellular substrates underlying cortical structural changes associated with cognitive decline in aging adults.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sophie Bergmann, Christopher A. Penfold, Erin Slatery, Dylan Siriwardena, Charis Drummer, Stephen Clark, Stanley E. Strawbridge, Keiko Kishimoto, Alice Vickers, Mukul Tewary, Timo N. Kohler, Florian Hollfelder, Wolf Reik, Erika Sasaki, Rudiger Behr, Thorsten E. Boroviak
Summary: This study investigates the early gastrulation of marmoset embryos using spatial transcriptomics and stem-cell-based embryo models. The study reveals the emergence of the anterior visceral endoderm, the role of WNT signaling in primitive streak formation, amnion specification, and the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. These findings provide insights into lineage specification in primate embryos and a reference for understanding human development.
Article
Cell Biology
Gregg A. Wildenberg, Matt R. Rosen, Jack Lundell, Dawn Paukner, David J. Freedman, Narayanan Kasthuri
Summary: The study reveals that primate neurons receive fewer excitatory and inhibitory synapses compared to mouse neurons, leading to lower excitatory-to-inhibitory ratios in excitatory neurons. Inhibitory axons have consistent properties in both species, with local and specific innervation of excitatory neurons. Additionally, the penalty for creating and maintaining synapses in artificial neural networks results in a reduction of connections per node, similar to the pattern seen in primate neurons versus mice.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clement M. Garin, Marie Garin, Leonardo Silenzi, Rye Jaffe, Christos Constantinidis
Summary: The size of the prefrontal cortex in humans is not disproportionately enlarged compared to other catarrhini species. However, humans have the most relatively enlarged frontal and parietal lobes in an infraorder exhibiting a disproportionate expansion of these areas.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Juli Wang, Robert Weatheritt, Irina Voineagu
Summary: The higher-order cognitive functions observed in primates are correlated with the enhancement of cortical volume and folding, which is caused by the expansion of cellular diversity in the developing cortex. Alu elements play a crucial role in these changes, contributing to the expansion of diverse gene regulatory layers including enhancers, alternative splicing, RNA editing, and microRNA pathways. Understanding the role of Alu-derived molecular events in brain development can greatly advance our knowledge of higher-order cognitive functions and neurological disorders.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Yuki Kajita, Hajime Mushiake
Summary: This study compared GAD65 expression among six GABAergic subtypes, revealing high-expression and low-expression groups in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Different GABAergic subtypes exhibit distinct GAD65 expression patterns in the layers of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, with GAD65 expression in the soma serving as a proxy for cytoplasmic GAD65 levels.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Book Review
Clinical Neurology
Zoltan Molnar, Alasdair Coles
Article
Neurosciences
Chrysoula Giasafaki, Eleanor Grant, Anna Hoerder-Suabedissen, Shuichi Hayashi, Sheena Lee, Zoltan Molnar
Summary: This study investigates the gene expression changes in the dLGN after monocular enucleation at birth. The results show that monocular enucleation leads to downregulation of certain genes in dLGN, which are normally enriched in this region during development. Comparison with developmental gene expression patterns suggests immature and delayed gene expression in enucleated dLGN. Additionally, the study reveals that the induced layer 5 fibers that innervate enucleated dLGN originate from the primary visual cortex and retain increased synapse formation into adulthood.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Peter A. Perrino, Renee Y. Chasse, Anthony P. Monaco, Zoltan Molnar, Antonio Velayos-Baeza, R. Holly Fitch
Summary: Developmental dyslexia is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in reading and writing. The gene KIAA0319 has been identified as a candidate risk gene for dyslexia. Studies using animal models have shown inconsistent results, but recent experiments on KIAA0319 knockout mice revealed auditory processing impairments and neuroanatomical changes in relevant brain structures. These findings support a role for KIAA0319 in the development of auditory processing functions critical to speech processing, language, and reading.
GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Heiko J. Luhmann, Patrick O. Kanold, Zoltan Molnar, Sampsa Vanhatalo
Summary: This article reviews the methods for assessing neuronal activity in both clinical and animal models, and discusses the urgent need for translational research, the challenges and possible solutions in translating biomedical research into clinical diagnostics or treatments.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Developmental Biology
Auguste Vadisiute, Elise Meijer, Florina Szabo, Anna Hoerder-Suabedissen, Eri Kawashita, Shuichi Hayashi, Zoltan Molnar
Summary: Neural communication in the adult nervous system is primarily mediated through chemical synapses. During development, the brain is shaped by trophic factors and cell-cell interactions. Studying the role of specific proteins in neuronal connections is crucial for understanding neurodegenerative diseases.
DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Biographical-Item
Neurosciences
Zoltan Molnar, Anthony J. Hannan
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Anna Hoerder-Suabedissen, Gabriel Ocana-Santero, Thomas H. Draper, Sophie A. Scott, Jesse G. Kimani, Andrew M. Shelton, Simon J. B. Butt, Zoltan Molnar, Adam M. Packer
Summary: Our study investigates the development of mouse claustrum neurons, including their birth time, location in the developing brain, and the formation of their connections to the cortex. We found that a specific protein distribution and a dense patch of cells are present in the claustrum from postnatal day 21, while most claustrum neurons are born around embryonic day 12.5. The claustrum's connectivity to different cortical regions matures at different times. This research establishes a timeline of claustrum development and provides insights into its unique connectivity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Susan Adele Greenfield, Giovanni Ferrati, Clive W. Coen, Auguste Vadisiute, Zoltan Molnar, Sara Garcia-Rates, Sally Frautschy, Gregory M. Cole
Summary: The substantia nigra is a nucleus that shows cell loss in both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, and contains acetylcholinesterase (AChE). A 14-mer peptide called T14, cleaved from AChE, acts on alpha-7 nicotinic receptors and is involved in neurodegeneration. In brains with Alzheimer's pathology, T14 immunoreactivity increases in density in pars compacta neurons. Exogenous T14 reduces neuronal activation in the substantia nigra, and this effect can be blocked by the variant NBP14. These findings suggest that T14 is a key signaling molecule in neurodegenerative disorders and NBP14 may have therapeutic potential.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microscopy
Shuichi Hayashi, Nobuhiko Ohno, Graham Knott, Zoltan Molnar
Summary: Recent advances in volume electron microscopy, especially in the combination with light microscopy, have enabled the study of brain structure at a detailed level. By using genetic tools and natural landmarks, immunostaining-free techniques have been developed, allowing for the investigation of brain development in live organisms.
Article
Biology
Janine Traut, Jose Prius Mengual, Elise J. Meijer, Laura E. McKillop, Hannah Alfonsa, Anna Hoerder-Suabedissen, Seo Ho Song, Kristoffer D. Feher, Dieter Riemann, Zoltan Molnar, Colin J. Akerman, Vladyslav V. Vyazovskiy, Lukas B. Krone
Summary: Designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) are chemogenetic tools for remote control of targeted cell populations using chemical actuators that bind to modified receptors. In this study, we demonstrated that the commonly used DREADD actuator, clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), as well as a novel actuator, compound 21 (C21), can modulate sleep in mice not expressing DREADD receptors. Our findings suggest that back-metabolism to clozapine is not the sole mechanism underlying the sleep effects of chemogenetic actuators.
Article
Biology
Javier Gilbert-Jaramillo, Ujang Purnama, Zolta Molnar, William S. James
Summary: The replication of Zika virus (ZIKV) in cortical progenitor cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is influenced by the metabolic patterns of these cells. ZIKV alters the transcription of metabolic genes and upregulates glycolytic capacity in early hi-NPCs, while affecting mitochondrial distribution and size in both early and late hi-NPCs. These findings suggest that alterations in cellular metabolism during ZIKV infection may contribute to different brain damage in each trimester.
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
J. Traut, J. Prius Mengual, E. J. Meijer, L. E. McKillop, H. Alfonsa, A. Hoerder-Suabedissen, S. M. Song, Z. Molnar, C. J. Akerman, V. V. Vyazovskiy, L. B. Krone
JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
E. Meijer, S. Wilcox, A. Hoerder-Suabedissen, T. Yamagata, Z. Molnar, V. Vyazovskiy
JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
J. Traut, J. P. Mengual, E. Meijer, L. E. McKillop, H. Alfonsa, A. Hoerder-Suabedissen, S. M. Song, Z. Molnar, C. J. Akerman, V. V. Vyazovskiy, L. Krone
Meeting Abstract
Anatomy & Morphology
Sara Bandiera, Zoltan Molnar
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2022)
