As large-scale neurodevelopmental MRI studies gain prominence, the authors identify tradeoffs between sample size and quality control that can dramatically affect results, and they evaluate a range of approaches to mitigate risk for error.

Neuropixels 1.0 NHP is a 45-mm, high-density silicon probe capable of recording large numbers of neurons with single-neuron resolution from most areas in a macaque’s brain.

Dissecting the adaptive exercise response of the neurogenic stem-cell niche in the dentate gyrus by single-nucleus RNA sequencing reveals the molecular mediators that underlie exercise’s protective effects in Alzheimer’s disease.

This study demonstrates that high alcohol concentrations during binge drinking activate a small GABAergic neuronal ensemble in the medial orbitofrontal cortex, which subsequently reduces further alcohol consumption. This effect is mediated by the ensemble’s projections to the mediodorsal thalamus.

The topographical organization of cells in the hippocampus reflects its ability to regulate mood and cognition. Here the authors generate a spatially resolved gene expression map in the human hippocampus to enable cross-species and functional interpretation.

Differences in neuroeconomic decision-making influence nucleus accumbens dopamine dynamics and reflect choice confidence during evaluation, as well as past and future value during re-evaluation, which can causally lead to change-of-mind behaviors.

The relative contribution of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to astrocyte heterogeneity is unknown. Using heterotropic transplantation of septal astrocytes with distinct lineage origins, we show that local factors specify their ultimate identities.

Serino et al. show that seeing an infectious avatar approach the body in virtual reality triggers an immune response, indicating that the brain prepares the body to fight infections even for perceived, but not real, threats.

This study maps the connections of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the mouse cortex, revealing distinct local and intercortical wiring patterns, and provides an open framework for exploring the connectivity of cell types.

Atucha et al. provide evidence that noradrenergic activation of the basolateral amygdala facilitates the formation of discrete memories of similar events experienced close in time via a miR-134-regulated consolidation process within the hippocampus.

A recent article makes a claim with far-reaching implications for neuroscience, technology, and society: that the human brain is subject to an information processing ‘speed limit’ of 10 bits per second. Although this speed limit appears to hold for high-level cognitive functions, we argue that unconscious processing for real-time control of movement, which occupies a majority of neurons in the central nervous system and accounts for most of the information throughput of humans, substantially exceeds this limit.