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University of Bonn

·August 11, 2025·5 min read

Brain’s Memory Rhythm: How Neurons Sync to Store and Recall

Researchers studying people with epilepsy have discovered that nerve cells in the medial temporal lobe coordinate their firing with slow brain waves to encode and retrieve memories. This synchronization, known as theta-phase locking, occurs at one to ten cycles per second and is active during both learning and recall.

This shows computer code and a molecule.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 24, 2024·6 min read

AI Predicts Chemical Compounds for Dual-Target Medications

Researchers have developed an AI system that predicts chemical compounds capable of targeting two proteins simultaneously, potentially creating more effective medications. By training the AI with a chemical language model, it was able to generate novel molecular structures with dual-target activity, an essential feature for treating complex diseases like cancer.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 9, 2024·6 min read

How Brain Cells Identify Smells and Related Images

A recent study reveals that specific brain cells respond not only to smells but also to images and written words related to those scents, providing deeper insight into human odor perception. Researchers found that neurons in the olfactory cortex and other brain regions, like the hippocampus and amygdala, distinguish between different smells and associate them with visual cues. This research, using data from epilepsy patients, bridges a gap between animal and human studies on olfactory processing.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 24, 2024·5 min read

Brain Identifies Zero as a Number, Not “Nothing”

Scientists have discovered that neurons in the human brain recognize the number zero as a numerical value, not just "nothing." Using microelectrodes, researchers monitored brain activity in neurosurgical patients and found nerve cells that specifically responded to zero.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 12, 2024·5 min read

Key Neurons Found to Predict Memory of People and Places

Researchers have identified specific brain cells, known as concept neurons and location cells, that predict whether we will successfully remember people and places. These neurons in the medial temporal lobe and parahippocampal cortex become active during memory formation, responding to specific images and locations.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 19, 2024·4 min read

Astrocytes: The Unsung Heroes of Learning and Memory

Astrocytes, star-shaped glial cells in the brain, play a crucial role in learning and memory by regulating synaptic plasticity. Researchers developed a biophysical model showing how astrocytes interact with nerve cells to facilitate rapid adaptation to new information.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·July 10, 2024·4 min read

Detecting Early Vision Loss in Macular Degeneration

A new study reveals that early changes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to measurable local vision loss. Researchers used advanced imaging to find that iRORA lesions, early signs of retinal damage, significantly reduce visual acuity. This discovery could enhance monitoring and treatment of AMD, potentially preventing severe vision loss. The findings offer hope for earlier intervention in this progressive eye disease.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2024·4 min read

Love Hormone Oxytocin Eases Loneliness

A new study finds that oxytocin, the "cuddle hormone," can reduce acute feelings of loneliness and enhance bonding in group therapy settings for individuals experiencing chronic loneliness. While not a cure-all, oxytocin shows promise as a supportive tool during therapy, potentially helping patients better navigate the initial challenges of addressing their loneliness.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 27, 2024·5 min read

Aphantasia Impacts Autobiographical Memory Recall

Individuals with aphantasia, a condition where people cannot visualize images in their mind, struggle more with recalling personal memories due to differences in their hippocampus and occipital lobe. This groundbreaking study, involving participants with and without aphantasia, utilized questionnaires, interviews, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the connection between visual imagination and memory recall.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 19, 2024·5 min read

Ripples of Recall: Brain Waves Play Key Role in Memory

Researchers have advanced our understanding of the neuronal basis of spatial memory. Their research reveals that during spatial memory tasks, different types of nerve cells activate in unison, coordinated by brain waves known as "ripples."

This shows a person surrounded by numbers.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 3, 2023·6 min read

Perception Puzzles: Our Brain’s Unique Counting Methods

A new study reveals intriguing insights into how our brains perceive different quantities of objects. When faced with a small number of items (four or fewer), our brains can quickly and accurately determine the count, a phenomenon known as "subitizing." Conversely, with five or more items, our estimation becomes increasingly imprecise and time-consuming.