Age-related changes in endocannabinoid system (ECS) activity might contribute to the decline in cognitive function observed during ageing. In this review, Andreas Zimmer discusses how evidence from genetic and pharmacological studies in mice and humans indicate that relevant cognitive functions may change as a result of changing ECS activity.

The skeleton is innervated by neurons that convey sensory information to the CNS and release neuroregulatory peptides to influence the bone microenvironment. James and colleagues describe the mechanisms underlying sensorineural regulation of skeletal bone, the contributions of nerve–bone coupling to bone growth and repair, and the disruption of this axis in various skeletal pathologies.

In this Tools of the Trade article, Peter Kalugin discusses the development of multiplexed optical recording of sensors on a micro-endoscope (MORSE) to track combinatorial hormone, neurotransmitter, and neuromodulator signals on the spatial and temporal scale of neural activity.

The capacity to self-evaluate and control one’s own cognitive performance, known as metacognition, underpins adaptive learning, social behaviours and self-belief. Stephen Fleming outlines our current understanding of the neural basis of metacognition, its contributions to self-regulation and social communication, and the consequences of its dysfunction in clinical conditions.

A distinct neuropeptide Y2 receptor-expressing neuronal subtype is identified in the brainstem nucleus ambiguus that selectively projects to cardiac ganglia and regulates heart rate and the mammalian diving reflex.

A new study in mice reveals that bile acid homeostasis in the liver is regulated by neurons from the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus.

In this Tools of the Trade article, Peter Kalugin discusses the development of multiplexed optical recording of sensors on a micro-endoscope (MORSE) to track combinatorial hormone, neurotransmitter, and neuromodulator signals on the spatial and temporal scale of neural activity.

Transplantation of human cortical organoids into ‘apallial’ mice facilitates their integration and provides opportunities to study human cortical development and disease.

Human brain organoids cultured for more than 5 years reproduce endogenous programmes of postnatal brain maturation and track the passage of time in culture.

Human brain activity under psilocybin contains latent temporal structure that improves alignment with ongoing context and covaries with the subjective quality of the psychedelic experience.