GABA from Reactive Astrocytes Impairs Memory in Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease Scientists show that reactive astrocytes aberrantly and abundantly produce the inhibitory gliotransmitter GABA by monoamine oxidase-B and abnormally release GABA through the bestrophin 1 channel. [Nat Med] Abstract Transcription Factor Induction of Human Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Fate and Differentiation Using FACS-based isolation and microarray analysis, investigators identified a set of transcription factors expressed by human primary CD140a+O4+ oligodendrocyte progenitor cell relative to CD133+CD140a– neural stem/progenitor cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release Neurons in the Human Amygdala Selective for Perceived Emotion The human amygdala plays a key role in recognizing facial emotions and neurons in the monkey and human amygdala respond to the emotional expression of faces. It remains unknown whether these responses are driven primarily by properties of the stimulus or by the perceptual judgments of the perceiver. Researchers investigated these questions by recording from over 200 single neurons in the amygdalae of seven neurosurgical patients with implanted depth electrodes. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release Caspase Inhibition in Select Olfactory Neurons Restores Innate Attraction Behavior in Aged Drosophila Using a genetic probe for caspase-3-like activity investigators mapped age-dependent neuronal changes in the adult brain throughout the lifespan of Drosophila. [PLoS Genet] Full Article Melatonin Reduces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Preserves Sirtuin 1 Expression in Neuronal Cells of Newborn Rats after Hypoxia-Ischemia Scientists assessed if attenuation of endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in the neuroprotective effect of melatonin after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Melatonin significantly reduced the neuron splicing of XBP-1 mRNA, the increased phosphorylation of eIF2α and elevated expression of chaperone proteins GRP78 and Hsp70 observed after HI in the brain. [J Pineal Res] Abstract MicroRNA-34a Modulates Neural Stem Cell Differentiation by Regulating Expression of Synaptic and Autophagic Proteins The author investigated the precise role of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) during neural stem cell differentiation. Their results showed that miR-34a expression was markedly downregulated during neurogenesis. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract PSA-NCAM+ Neural Precursor Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Promote Neural Tissue Integrity and Behavioral Performance in a Rat Stroke Model Investigators addressed the therapeutic potential of polysialic acid-neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM)-positive neural precursor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells in a rat stroke model with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract Rostro-Caudal Inhibition of Hindlimb Movements in the Spinal Cord of Mice Using optogenetic tools, investigators explored how the same population of inhibitory interneurons globally affects hindlimb movements in the spinal cord of both anesthetized and freely moving mice. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release Inhibition of Notch Signaling Facilitates the Differentiation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Neural Stem Cells The authors successfully generated neural stem cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells using serum-free medium supplemented with retinoic acid in vitro. They then assessed changes in the expression of Notch signaling-related molecules and some miRNAs (9, 34a, 200b), which exert their regulation by targeting Notch signaling. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract Characterization of Human Hippocampal Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells and Their Application to Physiologically Relevant Assays for Multiple Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors Scientists characterized the functional differentiation of human fetal hippocampus-derived neural stem/progenitor cells-namely, HIP-009 cells. Calcium rise assay demonstrated that, after a 4-week differentiation, the cells responded to N-methyl-D-aspartate, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate, or kainic acid in a concentration-dependent manner. [J Biomol Screen] Abstract |