JNeurosci: Martin-Correa et al. combined high-end volumetric electron microscopy and axon labeling methods to measure the synapses established in adult mouse somatosensory area 2 by specific thalamic cell populations.

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The synaptic circuits established by thalamocortical axons from the ventral posteromedial (VPM) and posterior (Po) nuclei in the first somatosensory cortex have been mapped in high detail as they are a prime model in functional and modeling studies of the interactions between the thalamus and cerebral cortex. In addition, VPM and Po neurons innervate the second somatosensory area (S2), but the synaptic organization of their axons in this area remained essentially unknown. On adult male mice, we combined axon labeling with serial section transmission electron microscopy and focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy to measure and compare functionally relevant structural parameters of synaptic boutons (SBs), e.g., bouton and mitochondrial volume, vesicle pool size, as well as postsynaptic density (PSD) distribution and size.

RCT: Among adults with mTBI, targeted multidomain interventions and usual care behavioral management resulted in similar improvements in overall symptom severity and patient-perceived recovery over 4 weeks.

Question Is a targeted multidomain (T-MD) intervention more effective than a standardized behavioral management intervention in adults with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)?

Findings In this randomized clinical trial of 162 patients, both the T-MD and behavioral management groups experienced similar improvements in mTBI symptom severity and perceived improvement in primary outcomes over 4 weeks.

Meaning The findings suggest that both T-MD and behavioral management are effective for improving global mTBI symptoms.

Nearly half of dementia cases may be influenced by modifiable factors like smoking, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure.

New in JNeurosci: fMRI study from Kim et al. reveals that babies with congenital heart disease have altered sensorimotor and limbic brain networks that cardiovascular surgery improves.

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Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects approximately 1% of live births in the United States and is the most prevalent congenital disorder. Despite advances in neonatal cardiovascular surgery improving survival, neurodevelopmental impairments remain prevalent, impacting motor skills, social behavior, and executive function. Motor deficits and long-term challenges in emotional regulation and memory are particularly common. Recent research using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) has revealed disorganized brain networks in newborns with CHD. However, those few prior rs-fMRI studies examining the impact of CHD have relied on predefined brain parcellations to compare group-level connectivity, limiting the ability to capture spatial alterations in neonatal brain networks in CHD. Understanding these network-level changes is critical for elucidating mechanisms of neurodevelopmental impairment and identifying early biomarkers of risk. To address these gaps, our study introduces two conceptual advances: 1) a data-driven approach to investigate atypical brain network development in high-risk CHD and 2) the use of a population-sized, independent dataset of healthy newborns to derive a normative set of neonatal brain networks. By analyzing a large rs-fMRI of human newborns (N=448; 219 females and 229 males), we identify atypical brain activity in the sensorimotor and limbic networks of newborns with complex CHD. Notably, before cardiovascular surgery, these networks are split into left and right hemispheric subnetworks. Postoperatively, these components coalesce into a singular, symmetric pattern resembling networks observed in healthy neonates. Our study highlights the potential of rs-fMRI to detect subtle, early functional disruptions in CHD and may inform future biomarkers of neurodevelopmental risk.

Significant Statement Congenital heart disease, the most common congenital disorder, affects 1% of live births and is associated with persistent neurodevelopmental impairments despite improved surgical survival. These deficits, including motor, socio-emotional, and cognitive challenges, may stem from early brain network disruptions. Prior resting-state fMRI studies in CHD relied on predefined parcellations, limiting detection of subtle spatial alterations. In this study, we used a data-driven approach and leveraged an independent normative dataset to define resting-state networks. Comparing CHD patients and healthy controls against these independently derived networks, we reveal atypical sensorimotor and limbic network organization preoperatively, which normalizes post-surgery. These findings highlight the potential of rs-fMRI to identify early biomarkers of neurodevelopmental risk and guide targeted interventions in this high-risk population.

The kick-off signal for puberty begins in the brain. Specifically, in the hypothalamus, where specific neurons release a hormone that activates the hypophysis, at the base of the skull, which then releases other hormones to start gonad—ovaries or testicles—maturation. This mechanism leading to a fertile organism is the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.

A study by Spain’s National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) has discovered in animal models that two previously unsuspected elements are also involved in this hormone regulating system: microglia—defensive cells of the nervous system—and the protein RANK, which contributes to bone remodeling and is essential in the functioning of the mammary glands.

The work is published in the journal Science. It is led by Eva González-Suárez, head of the CNIO Transformation and Metastasis Group, who discovered in 2010 the key role played by RANK in the development of breast cancer. The first author is Alejandro Collado, a researcher from the same group and co-corresponding author.

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