Cognitive 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.
Hippocampal 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.
A 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.
A new study implicated interneurons and pyramidal cells in the ability of a seizure to spread through the brain.
A 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.
A 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.
Stable memories are encoded by teams of neurons firing in synchrony, providing redundancy that enables the memory to persist over time.
Enhanced reactivation of negative memory engrams may be an important cellular mechanism behind the cognitive symptoms of depression.
Hippocampal 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.
Teens 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.
A 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.
Multisensory gamma wave stimulation improves recognition and spatial memory, in addition to reducing amyloid in the auditory cortex and hippocampal CA1 areas of mice. Findings suggest such sensory stimulation boosts hippocampal function and reduces Alzheimer's linked pathologies throughout the neocortex.