{"title":"Reconstructing Alzheimer's disease one cell type at a time using in vitro tricultures.","authors":"Tatiana A Giovannucci, Charles Arber, Selina Wray","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.07.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2025.07.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In a recent study, Lish and colleagues used a fully human-based, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived triculture model of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia to delineate non-cell autonomous contributions to familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). This approach offers a versatile platform to explore early disease mechanisms, dissect cell-cell interactions, and support the development of targeted therapeutic or biomarker strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":15.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144754403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Shifting ensembles in visual cortex: context-dependent encoding of learned cues.","authors":"Sarah Ruediger","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.07.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2025.07.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In a recent study in mice, Faulkner and colleagues revealed that visual cortex representations of learned cues rapidly shifted with a change in the external context. This work highlights the flexible recruitment of distinct neuronal ensembles to maintain behavioral relevance, providing new insights into how the brain balances stability and adaptability in sensory coding.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":15.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144754404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Shingles vaccination and neuroimmune vulnerability.","authors":"Xin Huang, Ben J Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.07.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2025.07.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent studies report reduced dementia risk following shingles vaccination, suggesting that varicella-zoster virus (VZV) latency contributes to neuroimmune vulnerability. We propose that subclinical VZV reactivation acts as a renewable peripheral immune stressor, amplifying microglial priming in aging brains. Shingles vaccination may suppress this viral reservoir, reducing cumulative inflammatory tone. In this opinion article we contrast this mechanism with trained immunity and highlight how pathogen-specific and systemic effects may converge. Finally, we discuss the role of innate phagocytosis and resolution, suggesting that impaired clearance, rather than activation alone, sustains neuroinflammatory risk. Vaccination may thus modulate innate responsiveness and preserve neuroimmune balance in later life.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144718745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Perceptual generalization across visual and tactile spaces.","authors":"Ilayda Demir, Seung-Hee Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.07.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2025.07.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cross-modal generalization enables animals to adapt to changing environments. In a recent paper, Guyoton, Matteucci, et al. demonstrated that a dorsal cortical region enables visuo-tactile generalization by constructing peri-personal space representations. These findings expand current understanding of the neural circuits supporting perceptual generalization across sensory modalities.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Triet P M Nguyen, Francesca Alves, Darius J R Lane, Ashley I Bush, Scott Ayton
{"title":"Triggering ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases.","authors":"Triet P M Nguyen, Francesca Alves, Darius J R Lane, Ashley I Bush, Scott Ayton","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neuronal death is a defining feature of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and motor neuron diseases, and is accordingly a priority drug target. Among the various cell death pathways, ferroptosis, a form of regulated necrosis driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a prominent candidate underlying neurodegeneration. Despite its potential significance, putative triggers initiating lipid peroxidation cascades that lead to ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases remain poorly characterized. This poses significant challenges for developing targeted and disease-specific therapies. We review evidence of ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases and examine potential disease-relevant triggers of ferroptosis. We propose that ferroptosis, rather than being initiated by a single triggering event, emerges due to a cumulative erosion of anti-ferroptosis defense systems. This process is likely driven by context-dependent interplay between common hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, including neuroinflammation, protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, altered lipid metabolism, and iron accumulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wookbong Kwon, Michael R Williamson, Benjamin Deneen
{"title":"A functional perspective on astrocyte heterogeneity.","authors":"Wookbong Kwon, Michael R Williamson, Benjamin Deneen","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Astrocytes are glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that perform an array of diverse functions that are essential for brain activity. Studies on the functional diversity of astrocytes suggest that such diversity may be derived from specialized populations. We provide an overview of the current state of research on astrocyte diversity and outline current challenges and knowledge gaps while also examining the developmental origins of these populations and how their interactions with neurons contribute to their functional heterogeneity. We highlight recent studies that provide evidence for functionally diverse astrocyte populations under homeostatic conditions and as an adaptive response to a range of experiences. This review provides a framework for understanding the dynamic and heterogeneous features of astrocytes across the CNS.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urszula Skupio, Alexander Z Harris, Abigail M Polter
{"title":"Untangling the multifaceted VTA responses to stress.","authors":"Urszula Skupio, Alexander Z Harris, Abigail M Polter","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stress has profound impacts on the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, the complex and opposing effects of stress on the VTA have limited our ability to reach a clear understanding of how adaptation of the VTA can drive behavior following stress. In this review we provide an overview of VTA responses to acute and chronic stress, with a primary focus on studies in mice and rats. We propose that divergent responses to stress arise from the heterogeneity of VTA neurons, the multidimensional nature of stress, and interactive effects between cumulative stressors. We suggest that the robust and varied plasticity of the VTA in response to stress indicates a role for the VTA as an integrator of homeostatic and affective information during stress to drive flexible and nuanced adjustments in behavioral adaptation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":15.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12308838/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144660372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carol A Morris, Mohamed A Sadek, Pooja Modi, Seif Abdelnaem, Nancy J Rusch, Esraa Shosha, Abdelrahman Y Fouda
{"title":"The role of efferocytosis in ischemic stroke and insights from retinopathy.","authors":"Carol A Morris, Mohamed A Sadek, Pooja Modi, Seif Abdelnaem, Nancy J Rusch, Esraa Shosha, Abdelrahman Y Fouda","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Efferocytosis, the phagocytic removal of dead cells by microglia and macrophages, was recently recognized as a critical process in the resolution of inflammation and tissue repair following ischemic stroke. In this review, we examine the pathways involved in efferocytosis after stroke, including the recognition and engulfment of apoptotic cells and the modulation of inflammatory responses. We elaborate on the pathways regulating efferocytosis and discuss how dysregulated efferocytosis can contribute to secondary injury and neurological deficits. Furthermore, we explore valuable mechanisms gleaned from retinopathy, a condition with parallels to ischemic stroke in terms of cellular death and immune responses. We then discuss phagocytosis assays used in brain and retina research. Finally, we highlight future perspectives on, and outstanding questions related to, efferocytosis in stroke.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12276843/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144650616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Life without microglia.","authors":"David A Hume","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microglia are involved in many aspects of postnatal brain development and neuronal plasticity. This article questions some of the assumptions inherent in current experimental models used to analyze microglial ontogeny and function which likely underestimate the contributions of blood monocytes to brain homeostasis. It summarizes evidence from animal models of congenital microglial deficiency that postnatal neuronal development and synaptic refinement do not require the presence of microglia. Instead, the absence of microglia is associated with accelerated progression in disease models and age-dependent neuropathology in humans, implying that the major essential function of microglia is to protect against neuronal injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144620661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Raul Portugal, Beatriz Rodrigues, Ricardo A Leitão, Mariline Silva, Paulo S Pinheiro, Ana Luisa Carvalho
{"title":"Shaping the synapse through neuronal activity-regulated miRNAs.","authors":"Raul Portugal, Beatriz Rodrigues, Ricardo A Leitão, Mariline Silva, Paulo S Pinheiro, Ana Luisa Carvalho","doi":"10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2025.06.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The brain's ability to adapt and support learning relies on experience-dependent synaptic plasticity, where connections between neurons are strengthened or weakened in response to activity. Recent research in mammalian systems reveals microRNAs (miRNAs) as crucial regulators of this process, offering a new perspective on how neurons achieve timely, localized control of protein synthesis. Neuronal activity influences every stage of the miRNA life cycle, from transcription to transport, maturation, and decay. Transcriptional regulation enables neuron-wide structural adaptations, while synapse-specific transport and maturation ensure localized protein synthesis. Though incompletely understood, activity-regulated miRNA decay allows for reversible modulation of gene expression. These discoveries highlight miRNAs as an essential layer of regulation, bridging neuronal activity with molecular changes that support learning and memory.</p>","PeriodicalId":23325,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144620662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}