Muscleblind-Like 2-Mediated Alternative Splicing in the Developing Brain and Dysregulation in Myotonic Dystrophy Researchers report that Mbnl2 is prominently expressed in the hippocampus and that Mbnl2 knockouts show a decrease in NMDA receptor synaptic transmission and impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release Spike-Timing-Dependent Potentiation of Sensory Surround in the Somatosensory Cortex Is Facilitated by Deprivation-Mediated Disinhibition The authors demonstrated that layer 2/3 pyramidal cell synapses in mouse barrel cortex can be potentiated upon pairing of whisker-evoked postsynaptic potentials with action potentials. [Neuron] Abstract Modulating Inflammatory Monocytes with a Unique MicroRNA Gene Signature Ameliorates Murine ALS Researchers investigated the role of innate immunity in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). They found that inflammatory monocytes were activated and that their progressive recruitment to the spinal cord, but not brain, correlated with neuronal loss. [J Clin Invest] Abstract | Press Release The Most Numerous Ganglion Cell Type of the Mouse Retina Is a Selective Feature Detector Researchers identified and analyzed high-resolution ganglion cells in the mouse retina, using a transgenic line in which these cells were labeled fluorescently. Counter to the expectation, these ganglion cells do not participate in encoding generic visual scenes, but remain silent during most common visual stimuli. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Thyroid Hormone Triggers the Developmental Loss of Axonal Regenerative Capacity via Thyroid Hormone Receptor α1 and Krüppel-Like Factor 9 in Purkinje Cells Using organotypic culture, researchers found that the loss of axon regenerative capacity was triggered prematurely by early exposure of mouse Purkinje cells to thyroid hormone (T3), whereas it was delayed in the absence of T3. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract The Endocannabinoid, Anandamide, Augments Notch-1 Signaling in Cultured Cortical Neurons Exposed to Amyloid-Beta and in the Cortex of Aged Rats The authors investigated the influence of the endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, on the Notch-1 pathway and on its endogenous regulators in an in vitro model of Alzheimer’s Disease. They report that AEA up-regulates Notch-1 signaling in cultured neurons. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Activation of Transcription Factor MEF2D by Bis(3)-Cognitin Protects Dopaminergic Neurons and Ameliorates Parkinsonian Motor Defects Dysregulation of transcriptional factor myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) has been implicated in the pathogenic process in in vivo and in vitro models of Parkinson disease. In this study, researchers identified a small molecule bis(3)-cognitin as a potent activator of MEF2D. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine Alters Ca2+ Dynamics in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons: Mitigation by NMDA Blockade and GABAA Receptor Positive Modulation Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TETS) is a potent convulsant that is considered a chemical threat agent. Researchers characterized TETS as an activator of spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations and electrical burst discharges in mouse hippocampal neuronal cultures at 13-17 days in vitro using FLIPR® Fluo-4 fluorescence measurements and extracellular microelectrode array recording. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract Effects of Aβ1-42 on the Subunits of KATP Expression in Cultured Primary Rat Basal Forebrain Neurons To investigate the effects of Aβ1-42 on the subunits of KATP expression in cultured primary rat basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, primary rat basal forebrain neurons were cultured and evaluated. [Neurol Res] Abstract |