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synaptic plasticity

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 23, 2020·4 min read

A rat had basically no brain, but it could still see, hear, smell, and feel

Rat R222 was born with hydrocephalus. Neuroimaging revealed most of its brain had compressed and collapsed as it filled with fluid. However, despite its condition, the animal was still able to see, hear, smell, and feel like other animals. The study sheds new light on neuroplasticity, and the findings could have implications for the development of new machine learning technologies.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 23, 2020·4 min read

Largest autism genetics study identifies 102 associated genes

In the largest genetic sequencing study of autism conducted to date, researchers have identified 102 genes associated with the neurodevelopmental disorder. 49 of the genes were also associated with other developmental delays. The new study has enabled the researchers to increase the number of ASD associated genes from 65 to 102.

Electrophysiology Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 9, 2020·4 min read

Rejuvenating the brain: More stem cells improve learning and memory of old mice

Critical aspects of hippocampal function can be reversed in old age, or compensated for throughout life, with the help of neural stem cells.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 2, 2020·2 min read

Engrams emerging as the basic unit of memory

Imaging and manipulating engrams at the cellular level provides important insights into memory function.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 2, 2020·4 min read

Some learning is a whole-brain affair

Motor learning induces widespread cortical synaptic potentiation by increasing the trafficking of AMPAR into dendritic spines.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 20, 2019·3 min read

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.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 21, 2019·4 min read

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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 17, 2019·3 min read

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.

This shows faces made up of network lines

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 13, 2019·4 min read

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.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 29, 2019·4 min read

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.

This is a diagram from the research paper

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 16, 2019·2 min read

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.