Researchers in Cell Reports study neuronal responses to bright and dark surfaces, finding that large bright surfaces activate both light-ON and light-OFF neurons, increasing the combined response with surface brightness and size. This challenges the long-standing assumption that only surface edges drive strong cortical responses.
A new study published in Nature reveals that microglia cells change their molecular state to match neighboring neurons, influencing neural circuit function. The researchers found that different types of cortical neurons recruit specific numbers of microglia, which then adapt to the neuron's environment.
Researchers created cortical organoids from patients' skin cells, mimicking focal cortical dysplasia and identifying mechanisms involved in its emergence. The model can be used to screen existing medications for patients with severe epilepsy.
Researchers observed that chandelier cells, which regulate cortical circuit activity, communicate with other neurons shortly after birth, influencing brain development. This interaction is crucial for normal brain function and may be disrupted in neurological disorders.
Researchers discovered that neurons forming connections between brain areas share similar genetic programs, but unfold at varying speeds. This tempo-dependent development enables the creation of diversity in neurons without requiring major genetic differences.
Researchers have demonstrated that HERV activation can impair brain development, leading to altered cortical neuron function and structure. This finding has important clinical implications, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.
A unified classification of diverse cell types in the cerebral cortex has been proposed by a Columbia-led team, which could shed light on how our brains work and potentially lead to treatments for diseases. The new system uses single-cell RNA sequencing and can be updated regularly using algorithms.
Grafted neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells functionally integrated into brain circuitry and restored motor function in stroke-injured rats. The study suggests that stem cell-derived neurons can replace dead cells to restore motor function.
Researchers found that individual cortical neurons cannot find order amidst chaotic signals, but the brain averages many neurons' activity for certainty. External inputs can briefly switch networks to a regime of highly reliable spiking, allowing the brain to overcome noise and chaos.
In the absence of gasdermin D, caspase-1 induces apoptosis, but not pyroptosis, in macrophages. Caspase family members caspase-3 and caspase-9 are involved in this process. The study suggests that caspase-1 activates Bid, a pro-apoptotic protein, which induces cytochrome c release from mitochondria and subsequent apoptosis.
A research team at Korea Brain Research Institute has developed a technology to produce dorsal cortical neurons utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells and tropical fish collagen. The breakthrough could lead to the treatment of brain diseases such as Parkinson's Disease by mass producing neurons using stem cells.
Research by Suzana Herculano-Houzel reveals that brain neurons play a crucial role in determining human lifespan and sexual maturity. The study found that the number of neurons in the cerebral cortex predicts around 75% of longevity variation across species, contradicting previous assumptions about human uniqueness.
A new brain-mapping technology has revealed that neurons in the primary visual cortex communicate with higher visual areas of the cortex more broadly than previously believed, following specific patterns. This discovery could provide a means of linking visual information across the brain to form complex percepts.
A new study by Vanderbilt University researchers found that dogs have significantly more cortical neurons than cats, indicating a higher level of intelligence. Dogs possess about 530 million neurons, while cats have around 250 million, suggesting that dogs are brainier than cats.
Researchers discovered that motor cortical neurons adapt to optimize movement encoding, enabling more precise neural prosthetics. The findings have potential applications in improving brain-machine interface performance and reliability.
Adult-born neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus can form connections with cortical neurons through a competitive process, promoting network plasticity. This redistribution of synapses between old and new neurons may disrupt existing memories and contribute to improved information acquisition.
Researchers from Osaka University investigated how neuronal activity influences CREB dynamics and its interactions with the cAMP response element (CRE). They found that neuronal activity increases CREB-CRE interactions, leading to increased binding of CREB to specific genomic sites.
Researchers have developed a new method to record brain activity in living mice, capturing the dynamic activity of thousands of neurons in three dimensions. The technique, known as 'light sculpting,' uses laser pulses to illuminate and analyze the activity of neurons within specific layers of the brain.
Using an experimental co-culture method, researchers identified a protein subunit that reverses mutated gene effects in Huntington's disease. The study provides clues to potential new treatments and suggests that expression of the TRiC protein subunit may rescue atrophy of striatal neurons.
Researchers at Osaka University have discovered that error signals in motor cortices drive adaptation in reaching, a key finding in motor neuroscience. The study used artificial electrical stimulation to induce trial-by-trial improvements in motor control, shedding light on the neural mechanisms underlying motor learning and adaptation.
Scientists at MPFI have discovered a simple rule that explains how neural circuits combine information supplied by different types of cells in the retina to build a coherent representation of visual information. The discovery reveals that fine-scale retinal spatial information is preserved by OFF response regions, while ON response reg...
Researchers discovered that 70% of brain information passes through only 20% of neurons in cortical regions, suggesting a vital role in communication and learning. This high-traffic network is also more vulnerable to disruption, which could impact brain health.
Scientists have discovered that most neurons in visual cortex respond selectively to light vs dark stimuli and combine this information with selectivity for other stimulus features. This discovery sheds new light on how the brain encodes black and white information.
New York University researchers discovered a neural match for the complexity of visual activity, explaining how brains extract information from images. The study found that diverse neural groups transmit more information when responding to real-world images.
Researchers created detailed 3D models of rodent brain's sensory cortex, showing interconnected networks across cortical columns. The study found that neurons in different cell types project to multiple columns, with non-uniform axon projection patterns, and these pathways can encode complex sensory information.
A new study describes how the neocortex selectively samples sensory information from the thalamus, controlling the throughput of sensory input. The researchers found that cortical neurons control thalamic neuron activity by varying signal frequency, either suppressing or enhancing it.
A team of scientists has successfully repaired the damaged cerebral cortex of adult mice using cortical neurons derived from embryonic stem cells. The study suggests that only neurons of the same type as the damaged area can restore damaged circuits, providing new hope for treating brain injuries and diseases.
Researchers found that Neuropeptide Y prevents excessive production of cytokines, reduces microglial reactivity, and inhibits N-methyl-D-aspartate current in rat cortical neurons. This study suggests a potential neuroprotective role for Neuropeptide Y in cerebral cortical neurons.
Researchers used a genetic approach to find that cortical neurons play a key role in initiating the disease, while shutting down mutant huntingtin in both sets of cells corrected symptoms. The study suggests new targets for therapeutic drugs to slow the devastating disease.
Neurons from the retina connect to the brain first, controlling the abundance of a protein called aggrecan. This allows cortical neurons to get the best spots for connections once two weeks have passed. Understanding this mechanism could help repair damaged neural networks and develop regenerative therapies.
Movshon's work on visual processing and amblyopia has shed light on the neural basis of blindness. He is recognized for his studies on the organization and function of area V1, a key region in the brain's cerebral cortex.
Research reveals that certain brain cells are better equipped to fight off viral infections due to their unique immune defense mechanisms. The study found that granule cell neurons, which rarely become infected, have different gene profiles compared to cortical neurons, making them more resistant to infection.
Researchers found that cortical type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) agonist trans-caryophyllene protected brain cells from ischemic effects. TC decreased cerebral infarct size and edema in animal models, with effects reversed by CB2R antagonist AM630.
UTMB professor Volker Neugebauer is conducting a four-year, $1.36 million study on the relationship between pain and brain functions, particularly the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. The investigation aims to understand how abnormal pain input affects the brain's emotional response and decision-making processes.
A computational model developed by RUB scientists simulates brain activity through neighbor interactions, facilitating faster processing of moving objects. The model, published in PLoS Computational Biology, uses a neural field approach to describe the complex dynamics of cortical neurons.
Neuroscientists found that cortical rhythms can effectively rally groups of neurons in widely dispersed regions of the brain to engage in coordinated activity. The study used data from four macaque monkeys and showed that the timing of electrical spikes was synchronized with brain rhythms occurring in distinct frequency bands.
Researchers used fMRI scans to study brain activity in subjects with no art criticism knowledge, contrasting Classical and Renaissance sculptures with altered proportions. The presence of the 'golden ratio' activated specific neurons, while beautiful vs. ugly sculptures selectively activated the amygdala and insula, respectively.
A study using high-speed videography and neural recordings reveals that cortical neurons' firing patterns can predict the texture identification decisions of rats. The findings shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying tactile sensory discrimination.
Researchers discovered that preemie brains can regrow neurons and glial cells in response to injury. The study suggests that the mammalian brain is more plastic than previously thought, allowing it to recover from serious brain injuries.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute discover novel potassium current activated by calcium, shaping neural signal frequency. SK channels play a crucial role in neuronal adaptation, influencing brain function and learning. The study resolves a long-standing controversy between electrophysiology and apamin-binding studies.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found a genetic protein that influences the brain's body map, contradicting previous thinking that neural input from the body's periphery shapes it. The discovery raises questions about individual differences in sensory function and potential genetic basis for variations in brain organization.
Researchers have found that individuals with schizophrenia have significantly lower levels of reelin in their brains, suggesting a potential molecular origin for the condition. The discovery has important implications for treatment and may lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that certain inhibitory neurons in the cerebral cortex use electrical synaptic connections to coordinate their activity. This allows for highly synchronized firing and synchrony similar to blinking lights.
Neurotrophin-4 triggers abnormalities in early brain development in unborn rats, mimicking human conditions such as epilepsy and mental retardation. The study suggests that neurotrophin-4 can cause too many cells to migrate to a specific layer of the cerebral cortex.
David Van Essen suggests that mechanical tension from axon connections creates brain folds. His hypothesis explains why human cortex is convoluted while others are smooth, and supports observations from transgenic mice studies. The theory could also account for individual differences in brain shapes.
Scientists discover mutant mice lacking a gene fail to form distinct layers in the cerebral cortex, leading to fatal seizures and neurological disorders. The study provides new insights into neuronal migration and signaling pathways, potentially leading to breakthroughs in understanding human brain conditions.