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Sparse Activity of Hippocampal Adult-Born Neurons during REM Sleep Is Necessary for Memory Consolidation 06/04/2020
The neuronal population in the hippocampus responsible for memory consolidation during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was unknown. Using in vivo imaging and optogenetics, Kumar et al. provide causal evidence that the activity of dentate gyrus adult-born neurons during REM sleep is necessary for contextual fear memory consolidation.
Incerta-thalamic Circuit Controls Nocifensive Behavior via Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptors 06/04/2020
Wang et al. identify the critical role of ZIv parvalbumin-positive neurons and the ZIv-Po circuit that regulate the nocifensive responses, revealing the pathway modulation by endocannabinoids for controlling nocifensive behaviors and pathological pain.
Short-Term Plasticity at Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Synapses Is Induced by Natural Activity Patterns and Associated with Vesicle Pool Engram Formation 06/02/2020
Vandael et al. report that natural activity patterns induce post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses. PTP is primarily caused by an increase in the readily releasable vesicle pool. PTP is associated with an increase in the docked vesicle pool, revealing a structural correlate of presynaptic plasticity.
CD49f Is a Novel Marker of Functional and Reactive Human iPSC-Derived Astrocytes 06/01/2020
Barbar et al. identify CD49f as a novel surface marker expressed by human astrocytes that can purify hiPSC-astrocytes and primary fetal astrocytes. CD49f+ hiPSC-astrocytes respond to pro-inflammatory stimuli and become A1 reactive astrocytes, which are dysfunctional and secrete neurotoxic factors that induce apoptosis in human and rodent neurons.