How Attention Helps the Brain Perceive an Object
Low-frequency optogenetic stimulation of the visual region of the brain impairs an animal's ability to make fine sensory discriminations. ... Read More...
Salk Institute
Guardians of the Synapse: A New Role For Schwann Cells Identified
Schwann cells help protect nerves against blood clotting factors that cause degeneration, researchers report. ... Read More...
Native California Medicinal Plant May Hold Promise for Treating Alzheimer’s
Salk researchers have discovered a possible neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory compound in the Californian shrub, Yerba santa, that may help in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.... Read More...
Uncovering the Evolution of the Brain
Researchers have developed a new technique to study the development of human neurons compared to the neurons of nonhuman primates. The findings shed new light on the evolution of the human brain.... Read More...
Hyperactive Neurons May Be to Blame When Antidepressants Don’t Work
Researchers shed new light on why some people may not respond to antidepressants for major depressive disorder. The study reports, neurons in the brains of some with MDD may become hyperactive in the presence of SSRIs. ... Read More...
Clues Into Early Development of Autism Revealed
Salk researchers report neurons from people on the autism spectrum exhibit different growth patterns and develop at a faster rate.... Read More...
How Brain Cells Filter Information in Groups
A new study reports the neurons that focus on coarse visual details could change to prefer finer details under different conditions. The findings shed new light on the neural mechanism that helps shape our perception of the world.... Read More...
Why Screen Time Can Disrupt Sleep
Researchers uncover how specific retinal cells respond to the artificial light generated by cell phone and tablets. The study reveals how retinal ganglion cells process ambient light and reset our circadian clocks, leading to sleep disruptions.... Read More...
Astrocytes Have an Unexpected Role in Brain Plasticity
A new study reports a protein made by astrocytes plays a critical role in brain plasticity by assisting with neural maturation and flexibility.... Read More...
What’s That Smell? A New Way of Understanding Odors
Researchers have been able to map odor molecules based on how often they occur in nature with the help of mathematical modeling.... Read More...
Widespread Connections Among Neurons Help the Brain Distinguish Smells
Researchers say the randomness of the piriform cortex plays a critical role when it comes to distinguishing between similar odors.... Read More...
How the Office Org Chart in Your Brain Helps Organize Your Actions
Researchers shed light on how behavior is organized in the brain. The study reports learned behaviors are organized in a hierarchy of multiple levels of control.... Read More...