FeaturedNeuroscience·April 6, 2020·5 min readMemory cells that help us interpret new situations identifiedHippocampal neurons that store abstract memories of prior experiences activate when new, but similar events take place.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·March 9, 2020·4 min readBrain-doping produced by your own bodyCognitive challenges trigger a slight oxygen deficit in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. This increases the production of erythropoietin (Epo) and its receptors in the active neurons, stimulating neighboring precursor cells to form new neurons and enhancing connectivity.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·February 6, 2020·3 min readSynchronization of memory cells critical for learning and forming memoriesHippocampal neurons involved in Pavlovian learning shift their behavior and become more synchronized when a memory is being formed. The findings shed new light on the neurobiological mechanisms of memory and learning.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·October 2, 2019·4 min readMale/female differences in the development of brain hubs involved in memory and emotionA new neuroimaging study reveals sex-based differences in the development of the hippocampus and amygdala. The findings may shed light on sex-based differences in the emergence of mental health disorders the occur during adolescence and early adulthood.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·October 1, 2019·4 min readStudy provides possible explanation of how a seizure is able to spread through the brainA new study implicated interneurons and pyramidal cells in the ability of a seizure to spread through the brain.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·September 23, 2019·2 min readCritical role of brain circuits in improving learning and memory revealedA newly identified neural network in the hippocampal formation plays a critical role in memory and object-location learning. The findings are highly relevant to learning and memory disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·August 29, 2019·4 min readLack of oxygen doesn’t kill infant brain cells, as previously thoughtA lack of oxygen as a result of preterm birth does not cause hippocampal neurons to die but does impair hippocampal development. Hypoxia causes hippocampal cells to fail to mature normally, causing a reduction in long-term potentiation and impaired learning.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·August 24, 2019·4 min readHow memories form and fadeStable memories are encoded by teams of neurons firing in synchrony, providing redundancy that enables the memory to persist over time.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·August 12, 2019·3 min readNegative memory storage affects depression symptomsEnhanced reactivation of negative memory engrams may be an important cellular mechanism behind the cognitive symptoms of depression.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·July 1, 2019·3 min readSleep readies synapses for learningHippocampal neurons become longer and stronger following a period of sleep deprivation. The study supports the hypothesis that sleep may weaken synapses, which are strengthened from learning, allowing for learning to occur after waking.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 17, 2019·5 min readAdolescence is the game-changer for schizophreniaTeens with schizophrenia symptoms and a genetic abnormality of chromosome 22 had significant brain atrophy in the hippocampus compared to those with the genetic variant and no psychiatric symptoms.Read More
ElectrophysiologyFeaturedNeuroscience·March 27, 2019·6 min readQuick thinking? It’s all down to timingA pairing of presynaptic and postsynaptic activity in a population of hippocampal neurons can reduce the required number of synaptic plasticity evoking events. When spikes occur within ten milliseconds of each other, synapses strengthen for up to four hours.Read More
