Shining a light on synaptic plasticity
AMPA receptors form and disintegrate continually, rather than existing as stable entities. The findings shed light on the early stages of synaptic plasticity.... Read More...
synaptic plasticity
Immune cells rewire and repair the brain while we sleep
Microglia play a critical role in reorganizing neural connections, fighting infections, and repairing damage to neurons while we sleep.... Read More...
Fundamental insight into how memory changes with age
New memories are laid down via different mechanisms in older mice compared to younger mice. Additionally, synaptic changes linked to new memory formation were harder to modify in older mice.... Read More...
Opiates reduce the brain’s ability to form and maintain synapses
Opiate exposure causes synaptic rewiring in the nucleus accumbens in addition to decreasing dendritic spines. The findings shed light into the neurobiology of opiate relapse.... Read More...
Lack of oxygen doesn’t kill infant brain cells, as previously thought
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.... Read More...
Gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease is involved in neuronal communication
Study reveals how CD2AP may enhance Alzheimer's susceptibility. The gene affects neural communication by regulating the levels of regulatory proteins present around synapses.... Read More...
Research Identifies New Pathways for Sensory Learning in the Brain
Automated robotic technology allows researchers to identify new pathways activated when the brain rewires circuits in response to experience.... Read More...
Short bout of exercise enhances brain function
Short bursts of exercise, equivalent to a pick-up game of basketball, boosts the function of a gene that increases dendritic spines in the hippocampus, helping to improve memory and learning.... Read More...
Sleep readies synapses for learning
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.... Read More...
AI software reveals the inner workings of short-term memory
A recurrent neural network algorithm demonstrates short-term synaptic plasticity can support short term maintenance of information, providing the memory delay period is sufficiently short.... Read More...
Bad diets making for bad memories
Perineuronal nets (PNNs) and the neurons they enmesh can be damaged by poor diets. Excessive consumption of foods high in saturated fats and refined sugars cause inflammation and oxidative stress, resulting in cognitive decline and poor memory.... Read More...
Brains of children with epilepsy able to re-map after surgery to retain visual perception
Following surgery, the brains of children with epilepsy are able to remap and compensate for damaged areas of the visual cortex. The findings shed light on brain plasticity.... Read More...