FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·March 8, 2021·4 min readWatching the Brain LearnIn older mice, adult neurons in the primary visual cortex with an increased number of "silent synapses" and lacking PSD-95, showed the same structural changes only seen previously in younger animals.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·October 13, 2020·4 min readA New Approach to Analyzing the Morphology of Dendritic SpinesA clusterization approach allows researchers to analyze dendritic spines in new ways.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·March 11, 2020·2 min readJNK protein triggers neurons to withdraw their synapses when stressedUsing optogenetics to inhibit the JNK protein prevented synapses from shrinking in response to stress.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·October 25, 2019·4 min readSchizophrenia risk gene linked to cognitive deficitsSETD1A, a gene associated with schizophrenia, stunts the growth and branching of dendrites and reduces the number of dendritic spines. Reinstating the normal expression of SETD1A in mouse models restored working memory function.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 21, 2019·3 min readPregnancy stress triggers immune response that may contribute to postpartum depressionChronic stress during pregnancy increases neuroinflammation. The immune changes may create circumstances in the brain, which increase susceptibility to postnatal depression.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·April 11, 2019·3 min readKetamine reverses neural changes underlying depression-related behaviors: Mouse studyThe formation of prefrontal cortex dendritic spine formation sustains the remission of depressive related symptoms and behaviors following ketamine treatment by restoring lost spines.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 5, 2018·5 min readNew Software Designed for Rapid and Automated Identification of Dendritic SpinesResearchers have developed a new machine learning algorithm that can autonomously and efficiently identify dendritic spines with 90% accuracy.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·June 12, 2018·5 min readProtein’s Role in Mediating Brain’s Response to Stress IdentifiedResearchers have identified the role Klf9 plays in the brain's response to stress. The study reports elevated levels of the protein were discovered in the hippocampus of women with MDD who faced stressful events.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 10, 2018·4 min readThorny Life of New Born NeuronsA new study reports repeated stimulation enlarges dendritic spines, enabling contact with existing neural networks.Read More
FeaturedNeurology·October 24, 2017·5 min readBrain Structure Makes Some Resilient to Alzheimer’sAccording to researchers, the size, shape and number of dendritic spines in the brain may determine whether a person develops Alzheimer's disease.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 10, 2017·6 min readWhen the Brain’s Wiring BreaksA new study reveals molecular details of what happens when axons are damaged or completely severed.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 9, 2017·3 min readHuman Minibrains Reveal Effects of Psychedelic SubstanceA new study reveals psychedelic substances may have a neuroprotective role when it comes to inflammation. Researchers also report psychedelics can alter signaling pathways associated with neuroplasticity.Read More