Discovering biological mechanisms enabling pianists to achieve skillful fingering
Expert pianists have altered mechanisms by with tactile and proprioceptive sensations suppress activity in the primary motor cortex.... Read More...
brain plasticity
The toes of artists who paint with their feet can be mapped in their brains
Artists who paint with their feet have finely tuned toe maps in their brains. The study opens up questions about organizational principles of the whole body system.... Read More...
Brains of children with epilepsy able to re-map after surgery to retain visual perception
Following surgery, the brains of children with epilepsy are able to remap and compensate for damaged areas of the visual cortex. The findings shed light on brain plasticity.... Read More...
How the Brain Learns New Skills
Neurons in the anterior intraparietal cortex learn to modulate their activity to compensate for errors in brain-machine interface tasks. Findings suggest the extent to which a person can learn a new skill is constrained by preexisting neural networks.... Read More...
Train your brain, change your brain
Neurofeedback training helps reinforce brain patterns associated with motor function while participants complete imaginary motor tasks. The findings may help in the rehabilitation for stroke and other disorders that compromise motor function. ... Read More...
Estrogen Made by Neurons Important to Memory Making
Researchers report estrogen may play a significant role in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. The study reports mice whose neurons did not produce estrogen have impairments in spatial reference memories, recognition and contextual fear memories. Restoring estrogen levels assisted in reversing the memory impairments, the study revealed.... Read More...
Potential Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Loss of Brain Plasticity
Researchers report vitamin D levels affect perineuronal nets in the hippocampus. The study found vitamin D deficiency resulted in a significant decline in memory and learning in mouse models. ... Read More...
Can Being Born Blind Protect People From Schizophrenia?
A new study provides compelling evidence that congenital blindness and early cortical blindness may decrease the risk of developing schizophrenia. Researchers believe the protective effect may be related to compensatory cortical reorganization.... Read More...
To See What’s Right in Front of You, Your Brain May Need Some Rewiring
Researchers provide new evidence of brain plasticity. A new study reveals visual cortex neurons sprout new axons and shed some old ones as animals improve at perceptual learning tasks.... Read More...
Neurons Reliably Respond to Straight Lines
Researchers report single neurons in the primary visual cortex can reliably detect straight lines, even though the makeup of the cell is constantly changing. ... Read More...
Astrocytes Have an Unexpected Role in Brain Plasticity
A new study reports a protein made by astrocytes plays a critical role in brain plasticity by assisting with neural maturation and flexibility.... Read More...
Two Seemingly Opposing Forces in the Brain Cooperate to Enhance Memory Formation
Researchers say homeostatic synaptic plasticity facilitates Hebbian plasticity, influencing memory formation and learning.... Read More...