Synaptic physiology

…proteins and their interactions shape synaptic physiology and brain-circuit connectivity.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in psychiatric disorders, yet the specific cellular and molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Previous research has identified a connection between high trait anxiety and low levels of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), a mitochondrial fusion protein, in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region crucial for motivation and goal-directed behavior. To assess the implications of Mfn2 in a cell-type specific manner, in this study we selectively manipulated Mfn2 in NAc dopamine receptor 1-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) using a viral vector (AAV1-Dyn-CRE) in

…cell biology, neuroanatomy, synaptic physiology, circuit function, and visual psychophysics. It is further supported by a normative theory explaining what the purpose is of processing visual information this way. Most new reports of retinal phenomena fit squarely within the standard mode

To survive in the wild small rodents evolved specialized retinas. To escape predators, looming shadows need to be detected with speed and precision. To evade starvation, small seeds, grass, nuts and insects need to also be detected quickly. Some of these succulent seeds and insects may be camouflaged offering only low contrast targets.Moreover, these challenging tasks need to be accomplished continuously at dusk, night, dawn and daytime. Crossover inhibition is thought to be involved in enhancing contrast detectionin the microcircuits of the inner plexiform layer of the mammalian retina. The A