How memories form and fade
Stable memories are encoded by teams of neurons firing in synchrony, providing redundancy that enables the memory to persist over time.... Read More...
CalTech
Microrobots show promise for treating tumors
Newly designed microbots can deliver vital drugs throughout the human body. The microbots can traverse the body and penetrate bodily mucus to efficiently deliver medications to target sites.... Read More...
Settling the debate on serotonin’s role in sleep
Serotonin produced by the raphe is critical for sleep in both mice and zebrafish. The firing of neurons in the raphe and the release of serotonin may help the brain build up better sleep pressure. The results may explain why some sleep-related side effects of antidepressants increase serotonin in the brain.... Read More...
Gut bacteria influence autism-like behaviors in mice
Using germ-free mouse models, researchers transplanted fecal bacteria from children on the autism spectrum and neurotypical children. Mice who received the transplants from the ASD cohort began to exhibit autism-like behaviors, whereas the mice who received transplants from typically developing children did not. Additionally, the mice showed altered gene expression in their brains and differences in types of metabolites present. In particular, the ASD mice had lower levels of 5AV and taurine. Findings suggest gut microbiota regulates autism-like behaviors via the production of neuroactive metabolites, providing further evidence for the gut-brain axis connection to the pathology of autism.... Read More...
Anxious people quicker to flee danger
Those with anxiety escape from non-imminent threats of danger sooner than those who are not anxious. ... 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...
This Is a Neuron on Nicotine
Researchers have developed a protein sensor which allows for the observation of nicotine's movement in cells. ... Read More...
Autism and Theory of Mind
Researchers have developed a new test that examines theory of mind in those on the autism spectrum. The work may shed light on how those with ASD have difficulty in understanding the point of view of others, and social behavioral deficits.... Read More...
Learning From Mistakes: Neurons Which Catch Our Mistakes and Correct Our Behavior Identified
Researchers identified specific neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex, called self monitoring error neurons, that fire immediately after people make a mistake.... Read More...
Time-Traveling Illusion Tricks the Brain
Researchers have developed two new illusions that shed light on how our senses can influence each other, specifically, how the presence of audio can influence visual illusions.... Read More...
Why You Can’t Decide What to Order For Lunch
A new study reveals why, when the brain is faced with an overwhelming number of similar options, it struggles to make a decision.... Read More...
Corruption is Hard to Hide if You’re a Politician Whose Face is Wide
According to researchers, people are able to judge whether a politician has been convicted of corruption just by looking at their faces. ... Read More...