VAMP4 Directs Synaptic Vesicles to a Pool that Selectively Maintains Asynchronous Neurotransmission Here researchers show that in mice synaptobrevin2 drives rapid Ca2+-dependent synchronous neurotransmission, whereas the structurally homologous soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor attachment protein receptor protein VAMP4 selectively maintains bulk Ca2+-dependent asynchronous release. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract NgR1 and NgR3 Are Receptors for Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans Investigators found that the Nogo receptor family members NgR1 and NgR3 bind with high affinity to the glycosaminoglycan moiety of proteoglycans and participate in chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan inhibition in cultured neurons. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract Decorrelation and Efficient Coding by Retinal Ganglion Cells Researchers tested the central prediction of an influential theory of visual processing and found that the spike trains of retinal ganglion cells were indeed decorrelated compared with the visual input. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract Disruption of SoxB1-Dependent Sonic Hedgehog Expression in the Hypothalamus Causes Septo-Optic Dysplasia Researchers demonstrate here that mouse embryos lacking Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in the prospective hypothalamus exhibit key features of septo-optic dysplasia, including pituitary hypoplasia and absence of the optic disc. [Dev Cell] Abstract Rescue of Neuronal Migration Deficits in a Mouse Model of Fetal Minamata Disease by Increasing Neuronal Ca2+ Spike Frequency In this study, using a mouse model of fetal Minamata disease, scientists examined how methylmercury affects the migration of cerebellar granule cells during early postnatal development. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Regulation of Neuroblastoma Differentiation by Forkhead Transcription Factors FOXO1/3/4 through the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase PDGFRA Here, scientists report that inhibition of endogenous FOXO proteins attenuated TPA/PDGF-BB mediated differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Autism-Like Socio-Communicative Deficits and Stereotypies in Mice Lacking Heparan Sulfate The role of heparan sulfate in the physiological function of the adult brain has been poorly characterized, despite several pieces of evidence suggesting its role in the regulation of synaptic function. To address this issue, researchers eliminated heparan sulfate from postnatal neurons by conditionally inactivating Ext1, the gene encoding an enzyme essential for heparan sulfate synthesis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Treatment of a Mouse Model of Spinal Cord Injury by Transplantation of Human iPS Cell-Derived Long-Term Self-Renewing Neuroepithelial-Like Stem Cells Here, investigators show that transplanted neuroepithelial-like stem cells from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells differentiate into neural lineages in the mouse model of spinal cord injury and promote functional recovery of hind limb motor function. [Stem Cells] Abstract Lysine Methylation of FOXO3 Regulates Oxidative Stress-Induced Neuronal Cell Death Researchers’ findings define a novel modification of FOXO3 and show that lysine methylation negatively regulates FOXO3-mediated transcription and neuronal apoptosis. [EMBO Rep] Abstract Human Müller Glia with Stem Cell Characteristics Differentiate into Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) Precursors In Vitro and Partially Restore RGC Function In Vivo following Transplantation Researchers’ results suggest that transplanted RGC precursors may be capable of establishing local interneuron synapses and possibly release neurotrophic factors that facilitate recovery of RGC function. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release |