AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·January 23, 2020·4 min readLargest autism genetics study identifies 102 associated genesIn 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.Read More
ElectrophysiologyFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·January 9, 2020·4 min readRejuvenating the brain: More stem cells improve learning and memory of old miceCritical aspects of hippocampal function can be reversed in old age, or compensated for throughout life, with the help of neural stem cells.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 2, 2020·2 min readEngrams emerging as the basic unit of memoryImaging and manipulating engrams at the cellular level provides important insights into memory function.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 2, 2020·4 min readSome learning is a whole-brain affairMotor learning induces widespread cortical synaptic potentiation by increasing the trafficking of AMPAR into dendritic spines.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·November 20, 2019·3 min readShining a light on synaptic plasticityAMPA receptors form and disintegrate continually, rather than existing as stable entities. The findings shed light on the early stages of synaptic plasticity.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·October 21, 2019·4 min readImmune cells rewire and repair the brain while we sleepMicroglia play a critical role in reorganizing neural connections, fighting infections, and repairing damage to neurons while we sleep.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 17, 2019·3 min readFundamental insight into how memory changes with ageNew 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
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·September 13, 2019·4 min readOpiates reduce the brain’s ability to form and maintain synapsesOpiate 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
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·August 29, 2019·4 min readLack of oxygen doesn’t kill infant brain cells, as previously thoughtA 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
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·August 16, 2019·2 min readGene linked to Alzheimer’s disease is involved in neuronal communicationStudy 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
FeaturedNeuroscience·July 15, 2019·4 min readResearch Identifies New Pathways for Sensory Learning in the BrainAutomated robotic technology allows researchers to identify new pathways activated when the brain rewires circuits in response to experience.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·July 2, 2019·4 min readShort bout of exercise enhances brain functionShort 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
