Keeping synapses quiet

Synaptic plasticity: Keeping synapses under control

Recent studies have confirmed that a retrograde signal is produced at the neuromuscular junction that can adjust the efficacy of transmission to meet long-term changing needs. Genetic manipulations in Drosophila have begun to define the circumstances in which such signals are generated and how they act.

Keeping in Check Painful Synapses in Central Amygdala

Glutamatergic projections from the parabrachial nucleus to the central amygdala are implicated in pain transmission. In this issue of Neuron, Delaney et al. identify a new form of adrenergic modulation at these synapses, demonstrating that noradrenaline-induced suppression of glutamate release is mediated by a decrease in the number of sites of synaptic transmission without changes in probabili...

Quiet healing.

Both physicians and patients want deeply healing doctor-patient relationships. Too often, though, the ever-expanding demands of medical practice combine with the defenses of the patient to create doctor-patient isolation. Eastern and Western cosmologies and traditions may encourage different approaches to human interaction and healing. At times, probing the patient with more questions may open ...

Quiet caring.

D URING A WALK ABOUT THE ONCOLOGY unit where I was receiving antibiotics for pneumonia, I encountered an elderly woman, her arm splinted and wrapped by a sling and burdened by intravenous and oxygen tubing. She was slowly and painfully making her way to the family lounge with her nurse and daughter. I helped them into the room, and then we all sat down. I asked her about her arm. She told me th...

Quiet Lasers