Latest

CA2

·February 8, 2025·7 min read

Mitochondria’s Role in Social Memory May Offer Clues to Brain Disorder

Researchers have identified a unique mitochondrial process in CA2 neurons that supports learning, memory, and social recognition. Mitochondria in different parts of these neurons vary in structure and function, with those at the outermost synapses relying on the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) for plasticity. Deleting the MCU gene disrupted this plasticity, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining neural connectivity.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 28, 2021·3 min read

How the Hippocampus Orchestrates Memory Consolidation

Study reveals how the CA2 region of the hippocampus plays a key role in long-term memory consolidation.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 9, 2021·2 min read

Exploring Differences in Mitochondria of Memory Cells in the Brain

A new NIH grant will allow Virginia Tech researchers to explore the mechanisms of social memory in the hippocampus.

This shows pyramidal cells in the CA2 of the hippocampus

Featured Neuroscience

·January 11, 2021·6 min read

Brain Circuit That Encodes Timing of Events Identified

Pyramidal cells in the CA2 region of the hippocampus are responsible for storing critical timing information.

This shows the location of the sum in the brain

Featured Neuroscience

·September 30, 2020·4 min read

Social Novelty Has a Special Place in the Brain

A specialized area of the mouse brain called the SuM specializes in detecting novel experiences. Within this brain area, responses to social novelty, or experiences related to unknown individuals, were segregated from those related to unfamiliar places, before being sent to areas of the brain associated with memory.

This shows the location of the amygdala and hippocampus in the brain

Featured Neuroscience

·October 2, 2019·4 min read

Male/female differences in the development of brain hubs involved in memory and emotion

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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 5, 2018·5 min read

Friend or Foe? Brain Area That Controls Social Memory Also Triggers Aggression

A new study reports the CA2 region of the hippocampus controls both higher order cognition, like social memory, and instinctual behaviors, such as aggression. The findings could shed light on why abnormal social behaviors may occur in schizophrenia and other psychiatric illnesses.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 27, 2018·4 min read

New Mechanism Involved in Age Related Memory Loss Discovered

Researchers report specific alterations in signaling circuits associated with memory can induce an abnormal response in neurons, which is linked to the aging process and cognitive decline.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 7, 2018·5 min read

Maps Made of Nerve Cells

Researchers have created a new model that may help explain how the brain stores memories of tangible events. The new model explains how neural activity in the hippocampus can help map space, time and context in episodic memories.