Imagined movements can alter our brains
Researchers found measurable changes in brain regions after BCI training, which occurred within hours, not weeks. This suggests BCI could be used to stimulate specific brain areas for rehabilitation.
Synaptic Plasticity
Articles tagged with Synaptic Plasticity
Talk to the hand
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that when a person loses a hand, both 'hand areas' of the brain become dedicated to the remaining healthy hand. Functional MRI scans revealed that the brain reorganizes its neural map and reroutes functions to the remaining hand after deprivation of input from a lost hand.
Receptor complexes on the assembly line
Researchers identified a step-by-step assembly process of AMPA receptors on the endoplasmic reticulum, critical for excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. The assembly line involves specific proteins and complexes, and its disturbance leads to severe brain dysfunction.
Synaptic function closely tied to overall need for sleep, regardless of day or night
Two studies in mice reveal that sleep deprivation alters daily changes in synaptic functions and proteins, leading to impaired cognitive abilities. The research suggests that sleep pressure plays a crucial role in maintaining synaptic function, independent of the circadian clock.
For this ocean dweller, ability to respond to warming waters is about location
A new study finds that copepods, small crustaceans found in nearly every freshwater and saltwater habitat, adapt to warming waters through phenotypic plasticity rather than genetic changes. The research suggests that thermal adaptation can happen relatively quickly, reducing organisms' vulnerability to warming.
Foot painters' toes mapped like fingers in the brain
Researchers found organised 'hand-like' maps of toes in the brains of professional foot painters, as they used their feet similarly to how people use hands. The study demonstrates an extreme example of brain plasticity and suggests that all people may have innate capacity for forming such maps.
Why don't the drugs work? Controlling inflammation can make antidepressants more effective
Researchers found that controlling inflammation can increase the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs by promoting neural plasticity. In mice studies, fluoxetine reduced inflammation when housed in a stressful environment, but not in a relaxing one.
How do species adapt to their surroundings?
Researchers found that species with high adaptability tend to have longer lifespans, as they can better cope with environmental changes. The study also discovered that reversible phenotypic plasticity, where individuals can switch between different traits, is key to survival in changing environments.
Human cells can also change jobs
Researchers at UNIGE show that human pancreatic cells can be converted to produce insulin in a sustainable way, potentially compensating for lost or dysfunctional cells. The conversion was successful in both diabetic and non-diabetic donors, with modified alpha cells showing improved resistance to autoimmune diabetes.
Mice transmit acquired adaptability to their offspring
Research at the University of Göttingen found that mice growing up in stimulating environments transmit increased brain plasticity to their offspring, even if the young mice were raised in less enriching conditions. This transgenerational transmission affects primary sensory areas of the cerebral cortex.
Mice pass on brain benefits of enriched upbringing to offspring
A study found that mice raised in an enriched environment with social interaction and mental stimulation can transmit the brain benefits to their offspring through changes in gene expression. Despite being raised in the same impoverished environment, the offspring maintained lifelong visual cortex plasticity.
Brain plasticity restored in adult mice through targeting specific nerve cell connections
Scientists at Tufts University have discovered a new molecular mechanism that controls brain plasticity, which they can target to restore it in aged brains. By focusing on specific nerve cell connections, researchers may develop treatments with reduced side effects for conditions like autism and stroke.
Are amorphous solids elastic or plastic?
Researchers found that amorphous solids can be truly elastic and reversible for small strains, but become marginally stable with infinitesimal deformations, exhibiting both elastic and plastic behavior
Lisa Giocomo and Christopher Harvey receive Young Investigator Award
Lisa Giocomo and Christopher Harvey, recognized for their novel insights into spatial perception and synaptic specificity of neural plasticity, have made strides in bridging molecular processes with cognitive function. Their work has the potential to provide new applications of tools and techniques in systems neuroscience.
To see what's right in front of you, your brain may need some rewiring
A new study suggests that our brains can rewire and change in response to new experiences, even when we're not consciously forming new memories. This process of plasticity enables us to better perceive and interpret the world, with potential implications for brain disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2018
Brain cells called astrocytes have unexpected role in brain 'plasticity'
Astrocytes play an unexpected role in brain plasticity by secreting the protein Chrdl1, which enables the brain's maturation and regulates its flexibility. This discovery could lead to ways to restore lost connections due to aging or trauma.
Two seemingly opposing forces in the brain actually cooperate to enhance memory formation
Researchers found that homeostatic synaptic plasticity (HSP) facilitates Hebbian plasticity, enhancing memory formation and learning. HSP helps maintain a stable level of activity in synapses, allowing the brain to store information while keeping it accessible.
Enhanced rehab for stroke doubles movement recovery
Researchers developed targeted plasticity therapy (TPT) to pair physical movements with vagus nerve stimulation, accelerating brain reorganization and recovery. The study found TPT to be twice as effective as traditional rehabilitation alone in doubling upper limb recovery rates.
New insight into aging
Researchers at McGill University found that aging brains retain neuroplasticity but experience dysregulation leading to unstable learning. Increasing GABA levels in older rats prolonged the effects of audio tone exposure, suggesting a potential strategy for improving retention in the aging brain.
Antidepressant restores youthful flexibility to aging inhibitory neurons in mice
A new study found that antidepressants can restore lost plasticity in the brain's inhibitory neurons, which are less flexible with age. The researchers showed that fluoxetine, a commonly used antidepressant, can reverse age-related declines in structural and functional plasticity.
Convergence of synaptic signals is mediated by a protein critical for learning and memory
PKC alpha integrates two signaling pathways to process information at the single spine level, enabling complex processing of information. Mice lacking PKC alpha take longer to learn tasks but eventually catch up with intact PKC alpha.
Synapse-specific plasticity governs the identity of overlapping memory traces
Research shows that synapse-specific plasticity is necessary and sufficient for associative fear memory storage, guaranteeing uniqueness to the memory trace. This process enables the selective erasure of fear memory from an engram network without affecting other memories stored in the same ensemble.
MIT scientists discover fundamental rule of brain plasticity
Researchers found that when one synapse strengthens, neighboring synapses weaken due to the action of a crucial protein called Arc. This balance is essential for maintaining healthy neural activity and function. The discovery provides new insights into how brain plasticity works in complex systems.
International research team finds brain changes linked to sleep need
An international study found that brain phosphorylation, a molecular process, is linked to sleep need. The researchers identified 80 proteins, or SNIPPs, that accumulate phosphate groups in the brain during wakefulness, and their levels decrease during sleep.
Psychedelic drugs promote neural plasticity in rats and flies
A new study found psychedelics, such as DOI, DMT, and LSD, increase dendritic spines and synapses in neurons, promoting neural plasticity. This effect is similar across species, including humans, and may lead to the development of depression treatments.
Psychedelic drugs, ketamine change structure of neurons
A study by University of California - Davis researchers finds that psychedelic drugs increase dendritic branches and spines, promoting neural plasticity. This structural change mirrors the effects of ketamine, a treatment-resistant antidepressant.
Alzheimer's disease: How amyloid aggregates alter neuronal function
Amyloid peptides prevent CamKII from participating in synaptic plasticity, leading to synapse loss and cognitive deficiencies. Researchers aim to understand the molecular mechanism behind amyloid aggregate interactions with CamKII to develop potential treatments for early Alzheimer's disease.
Memory molecule limits plasticity by calibrating calcium
A new study reveals that the protein RGS14 functions as a molecular brake on learning and memory by regulating calcium levels in the hippocampus. The researchers found that RGS14 limits plasticity in CA2 neurons, which are less adaptable than neighboring CA1 neurons.
Boosting the ability of the brain to regain function after a stroke
A new study found that administering edonerpic maleate, a small molecule targeting CRMP2, significantly improved the ability of mice and monkeys to regain motor function after a stroke. Early clinical trial results suggest the drug is safe in humans, offering a potential breakthrough for stroke recovery.
Study IDs important role for specific gene in 16p11.2 deletion autism
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute identified the MVP gene as essential for homeostatic plasticity in neurons with 16p11.2 deletion syndrome, a common genetic cause of autism. The study found that reduced MVP levels disrupted neural circuit adjustments to experience, leading to impaired learning and memory.
Study shows invading toads adjusting rapidly to different environmental conditions
Researchers found that invasive cane toads can rapidly adjust their thermal tolerance in response to cool conditions, a trait present in two cool-climate populations from Australia and Hawaii. This discovery has significant implications for predicting the spread of invasive species.
Biophysical Society announces 2018 new and notable symposium speakers
The Biophysical Society has announced its new and notable symposium speakers for the 62nd Annual Meeting. The session will feature cutting-edge research on ultrafast glutamate sensors, dynamic chromatin fibers, and more. The meeting will take place from February 17-21, 2018.
Order in disorder: A key feature of dendritic organization in the brain
A recent study by Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience researchers found that neighboring dendritic spines within a few micrometers of each other share similar functional properties, regardless of the diversity of sensory features they encode. This discovery suggests that local order in dendritic spine functional properties ma...
CAMH study reveals promising new avenue to explore treatments for Alzheimer's disease
A CAMH study found that people with early Alzheimer's disease have lower brain plasticity in the frontal lobes, leading to poorer working memory and recall ability. Researchers believe impaired brain plasticity may be a future target for treatment or prevention of dementia.
Synaptic receptor mobility: Discovery of a new mechanism for controlling memory
Scientists in Bordeaux discovered a new mechanism for storing information in synapses and controlling the storage process. They found that halting receptor movement can block the acquisition of certain types of memories, confirming the role of synaptic plasticity.
Family of proteins involved in brain's connectivity are controlled by multiple checkpoints
Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered a family of proteins controlling brain connectivity through multiple checkpoints. This discovery could lead to new therapies targeting conditions like autism and epilepsy by regulating neuronal circuits.
'Organismic learning' mimics some aspects of human thought
Researchers have developed a new learning algorithm that mimics the human brain's ability to forget unimportant memories, enabling computers to learn and forget in a proper way. This technology, called organismoids, uses quantum materials to create devices that can adapt and change their behavior over time.
Hearing restoration and visual cues
A study found that visually stimulated cross-modal activation of auditory brain regions in deaf individuals improved speech comprehension after cochlear implantation. Auditory cortex activation developed in tandem with both auditory and visual speech following implantation, suggesting a positive effect on hearing restoration.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 14, 2017
Scientists restore youthful plasticity to the brains of adult mice
Researchers at University of Utah Health successfully rejuvenated the plasticity of adult mouse brains, specifically in the visual cortex, by triggering a shift with a single gene. This breakthrough suggests a potential target for new treatments that could recover brain youthful potential and reduce cognitive decline with aging.
SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 8, 2017
How neurons sense our everyday life
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a molecular mechanism that enables neurons to adapt to their environment, shaping learning and memory formation. The study reveals that Brevican protein plays a critical role in regulating experience-dependent plasticity, influencing the intrinsic properties of PV+ interneurons and s...
Neuroscientists call for more comprehensive view of how brain forms memories
Researchers argue that synaptic plasticity and intrinsic plasticity are crucial in forming physical memory traces in the brain. Intrinsic plasticity plays an important role in adapting to new information and experiences, often without changes to connections between neurons.
Mitochondrial flash signals long-term memory at neuronal synapse
Researchers discovered that dendritic mitochondrial flash, also known as 'mitoflash,' is essential for converting short-term memories into long-term ones. The study revealed that mitoflash facilitates the transition from short-term to long-term synaptic potentiation through a bi-directional interaction between mitochondria and synapses.
Precise mechanisms of a calcium-dependent kinase during the formation of new memories
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience researchers optimized imaging methods to visualize CaMKII activation induced by calcium level increases. They found that CaMKII activity spiked in response to each pulse, just like calcium, but with longer-lasting and step-wise patterns that influenced synapse strength and structure.
Scientists develop light-controllable tool to study CaMKII kinetics in learning and memory
Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience developed a photo-inducible CaMKII inhibitor to study intracellular signaling cascades. The tool revealed that CaMKII activation persists for approximately 1 minute, contradicting previous studies, and is necessary only for short periods of time for LTP and animal learning.
Optimized sensors to study learning and memory
Scientists at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience created new molecular biosensors to study the activity of ERK and PKA proteins in dendritic spines. The team found that these proteins' activity spreads along the length of the dendrite, influencing nearby spines.
New insights into the information processing of motor neurons
Scientists at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience have discovered a novel molecular mechanism behind short-term neuronal plasticity, which may impact motor control. The study found that analog-to-digital facilitation occurs more readily in juvenile brains and depends on Kv3 channel inactivation.
Bipolar disorder candidate gene, validated in mouse experiment
Research validates PLCgamma1 as a promising candidate gene for bipolar disorder, linking it to manic-like behavior and synaptic imbalance. The study reveals that loss of PLCgamma1 from forebrain leads to behavioral abnormalities and manic episodes.
SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateFeb 15, 2017
New software automates brain imaging
Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience developed a new software to automate the process of observing and quantifying long-term structural plasticity in dendritic spines. The software allows for efficient imaging and stimulation of multiple dendritic spines simultaneously, increasing productivity and reducing costs.
In Rett syndrome model, team shows how adult learning is impaired in females
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory demonstrate how MECP2 mutations impair adult learning in female mice. They show that normal MECP2 gene expression is required for learning a natural behavior, and that impaired MECP2 expression causes a cascade of molecular failures leading to neural plasticity deficits.
Research helps explain why androgen-deprivation therapy doesn't work for many prostate cancers
Scientists at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified gatekeeper genes that allow prostate cancer to progress and resist treatment. The study highlights opportunities to prevent or reverse this process, offering new insights into lineage plasticity and its application in other types of cancers.
Distinctive brain pattern may underlie dyslexia
A new study suggests that reduced neural adaptation in people with dyslexia may underlie their difficulty learning to read. This reduced plasticity affects not only reading but also other perceptual tasks, indicating a broader impact on the brain.
The last frontier
Kosik's research suggests that dendrites use a relatively small number of RNAs to leverage increased dynamic range, allowing for sparse coding and plasticity. This enables the brain to process incoming information more efficiently and adapt to new experiences.
How physical exercise aids in stroke recovery
A recent study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that physical exercise can help preserve adult visual plasticity in mice and restore it after a stroke. This suggests that exercise may be used as a preventive or therapeutic approach to aid recovery after a cortical stroke.
New insights into cause of phantom limb pain may have therapeutic benefits
Researchers used brain-machine interface training to investigate phantom limb pain and found that changes in cortical plasticity, rather than motor function, are key to reducing pain. This approach shows promise for treating chronic pain conditions, including phantom limb pain and residual surgery pain.
Visual cortex plays role in plasticity of eye movement reflex
A new study published in Nature reveals that the visual cortex is involved in promoting plasticity of innate eye movements. Researchers used optogenetics to silence the visual cortex and observed a significant reduction in the activity of the optokinetic reflex, suggesting its role in mediating plasticity between the two reflexes.
Two new studies uncover key players responsible for learning and memory formation
Researchers have identified an autocrine signaling system within single dendritic spines, leading to spine enlargement and activation of signaling molecules. The findings reveal a three-molecule model of structural plasticity, implicating the localized, coincident activation of Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA proteins.
Artificial synapse rivals biological ones in energy consumption
POSTECH researchers developed an organic nanofiber-based artificial synapse that emulates both important functions and energy consumption of biological synapses. The device enables high memory density and low energy consumption, potentially leading to advancements in AI computing and neuromorphic electronics.
Neuroscientists discover new learning rule for pattern completion
Researchers at IST Austria identified a new learning rule that strengthens connections between neurons in the CA3 region of the hippocampus, even when neurons fire in reverse order. This discovery may explain robust learning and storage of spatial information in the brain.
The pool frog adapts its growth to Sweden's cold temperatures
A new study reveals that pool frog tadpoles in Sweden grow faster under warm conditions, allowing them to complete their life cycle at high latitudes. This adaptation enables the species to survive in cold climates by maximizing growth during short periods of high temperatures.
SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateApr 7, 2016
Researcher finds potential new source for pain inhibition
A new study has found that neuroligin-2 may contribute to chronic pain by disrupting the body's inhibitory networks. This discovery provides a second theory for what drives the GABAergic system's loss of efficacy in people with chronic pain.