Top 7 in neuroscience

linkurl:1. Identifying the unknown;http://f1000.com/7792962?key=dx0nw38p878tf3l Researchers present a novel method for identifying antibody biomarkers for diseases without known antigens. The technique, which involves searching for antibodies that bind to various synthetic molecules, may prove useful for identifying diagnostic markers in a wide variety of diseases.M.M. Reddy, et al., linkurl:"Identification of candidate IgG biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease via combinatorial library screening,";http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21215375?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m __Cell__, 144:132-42, 2011. Evaluated by Angela Vincent, Univ of Oxford, UK; Robert Powers, Univ of Nebraska; Soumitra Ghosh and Kavita Shah, Purdue Univ; Ivan Gerling, Univ Tennessee Health Sci Cen; David Holtzman, Wash Univ School of Med.linkurl:2. A long-term memory chemical;http://www.f1000biology.com/article/9nwdhhcqp4ttzjx/id/8941962

Image: Ranveig via Wikimedia

During the formation of long-term memories, neurons in the brain must import lactate, which forms when an energy reserve molecule called glycogen is broken down by specialized brain cells known as astrocytes. A. Suzuki, et al., linkurl:"Astrocyte-neuron lactate transport is required for long-term memory formation,";http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21376239?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m __Cell__, 144:810-23, 2011. Evaluated by James Bamburg, Colo St Univ; David Wolfer, Univ Zurich; Faraz Sultan and David Sweatt, Univ Ala Birmingham; Karl-Peter Giese, King's Coll, UK.linkurl:3. Molding microtubules;http://www.f1000biology.com/article/qsl27r6mpfjqxfm/id/5378958 MEC-17, an enzyme that is crucial to the function of touch receptors in C. elegans, takes part in the post-translational modification of alpha-tubulin essential for proper microtubule structure and function in neurons.J.S. Akella, et al., linkurl:"MEC-17 is an alpha-tubulin acetyltransferase,";http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20829795?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m __Nature__, 467:218-22, 2010. Evaluated by Carl Victor Lundin and Yanmin Yang, Stanford Univ Sch of Med; Mark Winey, Univ Colo; Hong-Wei Wang, Yale Univ.linkurl:4. A calcium coordinator;http://www.f1000biology.com/article/ngwpwphxzynp206/id/5584961 A transmembrane protein called stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM 1) controls two types of calcium channels -- voltage gated and store-operated -- in cells. Precise control of these channels is essential for nerve impulse propagation and muscle contraction, among other functions.C.Y. Park, et al., linkurl:"The CRAC channel activator STIM1 binds and inhibits L-type voltage-gated calcium channels,";http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20929812?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m __Science__, 330:101-5, 2010. Evaluated by Laurel Wright and Juan Rivera, Nat Inst Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; Claudia S Bauer and Annette Dolphin, UCL; Robert Burgoyne, Univ Liverpool.linkurl:5. The pig-out switch;http://www.f1000biology.com/article/n1937zjctbh1h3l/id/7902956 Stimulating a specific set of brain cells, called agouti-related peptide (AGRP) neurons, can trigger rapid and voracious feeding in mice. Indeed AGPR neurons seem to be devoted solely to coordinating the complex behavior.Y. Aponte, et al., linkurl:"AGRP neurons are sufficient to orchestrate feeding behavior rapidly and without training,";http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21209617?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m __Nat Neurosci__, 14:351-5, 2011. Evaluated by Heike Munzberg, Pennington Biomed Res Cntr; Terry Davidson, Purdue Univ; Ann Schreihofer, Univ North Texas Hlth Sci Cntr.linkurl:6. Anxiety's home base;http://www.f1000biology.com/article/zsy21tzlwcxyvdq/id/9170957 Researchers have pinpointed a specific cluster of neurons within a brain region called the amygdala that could be stimulated to increase or decrease anxiety in mice, confirming the long held suspicion that the region is the seat of anxiety.K.M. Tye, et al., linkurl:"Amygdala circuitry mediating reversible and bidirectional control of anxiety,";http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21389985?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m __Nature__, 471:358-62, 2011. Evaluated by Mazen Kheirbek and Rene Hen, Columbia Univ; Alejandro Schinder, Leloir Inst, Arg.linkurl:"Eyes in a dish";http://www.f1000biology.com/article/tsnhbxsw1n88y0m/id/9785956 Researchers have successfully coaxed mouse stem cells into forming the rudiments of retinal tissue in vitro. This advance could eventually evolve into petri dish-grown eye tissue for transplant.M. Eiraku, et al., linkurl:"Self-organizing optic-cup morphogenesis in three-dimensional culture,";http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21475194?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m __Nature__, 472:51-6, 2011. Evaluated by Juan Martinez-Morales and Paola Bovolenta Univ Autonoma de Madrid, Spain; Vivien Casagrande, Vanderbilt Univ Sch Med.The F1000 Top 7 is a snapshot of the highest ranked articles from a 30-day period on Faculty of 1000 in Neuroscience, as calculated on April 22, 2011. Faculty Members evaluate and rate the most important papers in their field. To see the latest rankings, search the database, and read daily evaluations, visit http://f1000.com.
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