This year, the Nobel committee awarded the Prize for Physiology or Medicine to three neuroscientists, Arvid Carlsson, Paul Greengard, and Eric R. Kandel. Their contributions opened a molecular window onto the brain--Carlsson by identifying dopamine as the first brain neurotransmitter found uniquely in the brain, Greengard by illuminating the molecular cascade triggered inside the neuron by dopamine, and Kandel by recognizing that the molecular basis of cognitive processes such as learning must first be worked out in simpler systems before they can be understood in the brains of complex mammals such as ourselves.

Science has had the privilege of publishing many of the seminal papers from two of these scientists, Paul Greengard and Eric R. Kandel. A selection of some of the most important follows:

• Mayford M, Bach ME, Huang YY, Wang L, Hawkins RD, Kandel ER.
  Control of memory formation through regulated expression of a CaMKII transgene.
  Science. 1996 Dec 6; 274(5293): 1678-83. [PDF]
  
  
• Kandel E, Abel T.
  Neuropeptides, adenylyl cyclase, and memory storage.
  Science. 1995 May 12; 268(5212): 825-6. (Review) [PDF]
  
  
• Nguyen PV, Abel T, Kandel ER
  Requirement of a Critical Period of Transcription for Induction of a Late Phase of LTP.
  Science. 1994 August 19; 265(5175): 1104-1107. [PDF]
  
  
• Frey U, Huang YY, Kandel ER.
  Effects of cAMP simulate a late stage of LTP in hippocampal CA1 neurons.
  Science. 1993 Jun 11; 260(5114): 1661-4. [PDF]
  
  
• Grant SG, O'Dell TJ, Karl KA, Stein PL, Soriano P, Kandel ER.
  Impaired long-term potentiation, spatial learning, and hippocampal development in fyn Mutant mice.
  Science. 1992 Dec 18; 258(5090): 1903-10. [PDF]
  
  
• Schacher S, Castellucci VF, Kandel ER.
  cAMP evokes long-term facilitation in Aplysia sensory neurons that requires new protein synthesis.
  Science. 1988 Jun 17; 240(4859): 1667-9. [PDF]
  
  
• Dale N, Schacher S, Kandel ER.
  Long-term facilitation in Aplysia involves increase in transmitter release.
  Science. 1988 Jan 15; 239(4837): 282-5. [PDF]
  
  
• Montarolo PG, Goelet P, Castellucci VF, Morgan J, Kandel ER, Schacher S.
  A critical period for macromolecular synthesis in long-term heterosynaptic facilitation in Aplysia.
  Science. 1986 Dec 5; 234(4781): 1249-54. [PDF]
  
  
• Brunelli M, Castellucci V, Kandel ER.
  Synaptic facilitation and behavioral sensitization in Aplysia: possible role of serotonin and Cyclic AMP.
  Science. 1976 Dec 10; 194(4270): 1178-81. [PDF]
  
  
• Carew TJ, Kandel ER.
  Acquisition and retention of long-term habituation in Aplysia: correlation of behavioral and Cellular processes.
  Science. 1973 Dec 14; 182(4117): 1158-60. [PDF]
  
  
• Kupfermann I, Kandel ER. Neuronal controls of a behavioral response mediated by the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia. Science. 1969 May 16; 164(3881): 847-50. [PDF]
  
  

• Mani SK, Fienberg AA, O'Callaghan JP, Snyder GL, Allen PB, Dash PK, Moore AN, Mitchell AJ, Bibb J, Greengard P, O'Malley BW.
  Requirement for DARPP-32 in progesterone-facilitated sexual receptivity in female rats and Mice.
  Science. 2000 Feb 11; 287(5455): 1053-6. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
  
  
• Fienberg AA, Hiroi N, Mermelstein PG, Song W, Snyder GL, Nishi A, Cheramy A, O'Callaghan JP, Miller DB, Cole DG, Corbett R, Haile CN, Cooper DC, Onn SP, Grace AA, Ouimet CC, White FJ, Hyman SE, Surmeier DJ, Girault J, Nestler EJ, Greengard P.
  DARPP-32: regulator of the efficacy of dopaminergic neurotransmission.
  Science. 1998 Aug 7; 281(5378): 838-42. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
  
  
• Greengard P, Valtorta F, Czernik AJ, Benfenati F.
  Synaptic vesicle phosphoproteins and regulation of synaptic function.
  Science. 1993 Feb 5; 259(5096): 780-5. (Review). [PDF]
  
  
• Greengard P.
  Phosphorylated proteins as physiological effectors.
  Science. 1978 Jan 13; 199(4325): 146-52. (Review). [PDF]
  
  
• Forn J, Krueger BK, Greengard P.
  Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate content in rat caudate nucleus: demonstration of Dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors.
  Science. 1974 Dec 20; 186(4169): 1118-20. [PDF]
  
  
• Kebabian JW, Greengard P.
  Dopamine-sensitive adenyl cyclase: possible role in synaptic transmission.
  Science. 1971 Dec 24; 174(4016): 1346-9. [PDF]
  
  
• McAfee DA, Schorderet M, Greengard P.
  Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in nervous tissue: increase associated with synaptic Transmission.
  Science. 1971 Mar 19; 171(3976): 1156-8. [PDF]
  
  
• Miyamoto E, Kuo JF, Greengard P.
  Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase from brain.
  Science. 1968 Jul 4; 165(3888): 63-5. [PDF]