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brain plasticity

·May 2, 2019·6 min read

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.

this shows the corpus callosum in the brain

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·April 14, 2019·3 min read

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.

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·February 25, 2019·7 min read

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.

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·February 20, 2019·4 min read

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.

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·February 15, 2019·3 min read

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.

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·October 24, 2018·4 min read

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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Visual Neuroscience

·October 23, 2018·5 min read

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.

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·October 18, 2018·4 min read

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.

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·October 14, 2018·5 min read

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.

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·September 6, 2018·6 min read

New Theory for Phantom Limb Pain Points the Way to More Effective Treatment

Researchers present a new theory which states, following amputation, the neural circuitry connected to the missing limb becomes entangled with other neural networks, specifically ones responsible for pain perception.

fMRI brain scans of the lobectomy patient

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·July 31, 2018·5 min read

Long Term Study of a Boy’s Lobectomy Offers Rare Glimpse of Plasticity in Action

Researchers report, following a lobectomy, the left hemisphere of the brain compensated for visual tasks in a young boy. The findings, researchers say, provide a detailed characterization of plasticity in the developing brain.