Published by De Gruyter

Volume 25 Issue 4

Issue of Neuroforum

Contents
Journal Overview

Accessible November 6, 2019

Titelseiten

Page range: i-iv

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Review Article

Accessible November 6, 2019

The Neuroscience of Creativity

Andreas Fink, Mathias Benedek

Page range: 231-240

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Abstract

While earlier neuroscience studies on creativity have been criticized due to their heterogeneity of findings, recent studies in this field have converged to some common practices and methodological approaches, which have greatly contributed to enhance both the reliability and reproducibility of findings in this field. Relevant neuroscience findings suggest that creative cognition requires a conglomerate of neurocognitive processes involving executive functions, memory processes, internally-focused attention, or spontaneous modes of thought. Studies investigating creativity in more naturalistic, real-life settings reveal some overlap with conventional creative ideation, but also indicate that creativity and its underlying neural mechanisms are specific to the particular domain. Another trend in the neuroscience of creativity is concerned with approaches to enhance creativity, involving a broad diversity of interventions ranging from cognitively-oriented techniques to interventions using physical activity.

Accessible November 6, 2019

Artificial Intelligence in Basic and Clinical Neuroscience: Opportunities and Ethical Challenges

Philipp Kellmeyer

Page range: 241-250

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Abstract

The analysis of large amounts of personal data with artificial neural networks for deep learning is the driving technology behind new artificial intelligence (AI) systems for all areas in science and technology. These AI methods have evolved from applications in computer vision, the automated analysis of images, and now include frameworks and methods for analyzing multimodal datasets that combine data from many different source, including biomedical devices, smartphones and common user behavior in cyberspace. For neuroscience, these widening streams of personal data and machine learning methods provide many opportunities for basic data-driven research as well as for developing new tools for diagnostic, predictive and therapeutic applications for disorders of the nervous system. The increasing automation and autonomy of AI systems, however, also creates substantial ethical challenges for basic research and medical applications. Here, scientific and medical opportunities as well ethical challenges are summarized and discussed.

Accessible November 6, 2019

Single-cell RNA-Sequencing in Neuroscience

Simone Mayer, Shokoufeh Khakipoor, Maxim A. Drömer, Daniel A. Cozetto

Page range: 251-258

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Abstract

Technical innovations in the last decade have allowed to sequence transcriptomes of single cells. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has since then opened the window to a deeper understanding of cellular identity and is becoming a widely used method in molecular biology. In neuroscience, scRNA-seq has broad applications, for example in determining cellular diversity in different brain regions and in revealing transcriptomic variations across brain disorders. The method consists of several steps: isolation and lysis of single cells, reverse transcription of RNAs, amplification of cDNAs, and next-generation sequencing. The large datasets can subsequently be analysed using different bioinformatic tools to deduce biological meaning. Current developments aim to integrate scRNA-seq into cellular network analysis through multimodal analysis, spatial localisation and perturbation experiments, in order to understand brain physiology and pathology.

Accessible November 6, 2019

Personal View – The Evolution of Neurochemistry

Ferdinand Hucho

Page range: 259-264

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Abstract

This esssay is a personal account of the evolution of Neurochemistry in the past century. It describes in parallel the authors way from chemistry to biochemistry and finally to Neurochemistry and the progress of a most exciting chapter of the Life Sciences. It covers the successful time period of reductionist research (by no means comprehensively), which lay the ground for the recent and future systems approach. This development promises answers to fundamental questions of our existence as human beings.

Presentation of Scientific Institutions

Accessible November 6, 2019

Research Training Group (RTG) / Graduiertenkolleg (GRK) 2350

Sylvia Cackowski, Christian Schmahl

Page range: 265-266

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Accessible November 6, 2019

Forschergruppe (FOR 2879) ImmunoStroke: Von der Immunzelle zur Schlaganfallregeneration

Christoph Kleinschnitz, Friederike Langhauser

Page range: 267-269

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Rezension

Accessible November 6, 2019

Maren Urner: Schluss mit dem täglichen Weltuntergang – Wie wir uns gegen die digitale Vermüllung unserer Gehirne wehren.

Sophie Seidenbecher

Page range: 271-271

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Nachrichten der Gesellschaft

Accessible November 6, 2019

Göttinger Jahrestagung 2019

Eckhard Friauf

Page range: 273-281

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About this journal

Neuroforum publishes invited review articles from all areas in neuroscience. Readership includes besides basic and medical neuroscientists also journalists, practicing physicians, school teachers and students. Neuroforum reports on all topics in neuroscience – from molecules to the neuronal networks, from synapses to bioethics.

Neuroforum is published in print and online editions. The review articles are published in English language only. Besides these review articles, both editions contain short reports on new methods and developments in neuroscience, on research institutes, research groups and research programs, commentaries und discussions, book reviews and the newsletter of the German Neuroscience Society.

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