The development of the mammalian cochlea undergoes a period of embryonic refinement in which the outer hair cell region repels incoming type I spiral ganglion neurons, thus ensuring these neurons instead form connections with inner hair cells.

RNA-Seq analysis and in vivo validation via genetic approach uncover that Scrt2 and Celf4 are expressed in inner ear auditory neurons throughout development.

Genetic studies in mice identify the transcription factor MafB as a potent regulator of specific features of the synapses underlying hearing.

The neural population of the Aplysia's pedal ganglion are a low-dimensional spiral attractor, and the parameters of the attractor directly define the properties of the Aplysia's escape locomotion behaviour.

The biophysical diversity that is intrinsic to spiral ganglion neurons emerges as spatial gradients during early post-natal development and endures through subsequent maturation to likely contribute to sound intensity coding.

An ancestral apical brain center contributed to the evolution of the insect central complex requiring foxQ2, which is essential for the development of midline structures of the insect brain.

A novel connection from ventral striatum to motor cortex enables emotion and motivation to influence action and motor control.

The synaptic ribbon regulates calcium channel clustering and proper vesicle dynamics at cochlear inner hair cells to ensure precise sound encoding.

A new eye-specific Dcc mutant combined with an improved clearing protocol for the eye and brain (EyeDISCO) reveals the requirement of the receptor Dcc for retinal development and maintenance.

Supporting cells in the cochlea change their shape in response to purinergic receptor activation, which influences hair cell excitability by altering potassium redistribution in the extracellular space.