Articles tagged with Synaptic Plasticity
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MIT neuroscientists have discovered a new way that the brain strengthens connections between neurons. The presynaptic neuron plays a crucial role in this process, releasing neurotransmitters to stimulate growth of new connections and enhancing synaptic function.
Scientists develop first-of-its-kind synthetic synapse that mimics the plasticity of the real thing, allowing for learning and self-healing capabilities. The novel dynamic system made from aluminum oxide and twisted bilayer graphene has the potential to aid in the development of biology-inspired electronics.
Researchers found that axon initial segment (AIS) plasticity can occur quickly, influencing neuronal firing responses. After 3 hours of elevated activity, the AIS was shortened by approximately 25%, but did not immediately lead to reduced excitability.
UT Dallas researchers aim to develop a new therapy using targeted plasticity therapy with vagus nerve stimulation to reduce anxiety in PTSD patients. The four-year DARPA grant will support research at nine labs and a team of 30 researchers.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that mental focussing can improve tactile acuity by 17 percent after a four-day Zen-retreat. This improvement is comparable to those achieved through intense long-term training or physical stimulation, challenging the current understanding of neuroplasticity.
A brief period of postnatal visual deprivation rewires the brain's visual processing areas, even after normal vision is restored. This crossmodal competition highlights the role of early experience in shaping brain function.
Researchers at KU Leuven found a molecular switch that controls how the brain compensates for vision loss, with implications for sensory prosthetics and patient recovery. In adult mice, this cross-modal neuroplasticity is triggered by both eyes and whiskers, but in adolescents, only one eye takes over.
Research at Rockefeller University discovered that the recycling of a specific type of histone, H3.3, is essential for forming connections among neurons and facilitating learning throughout life. The study found that increased turnover of H3.3 is linked to neural activity and gene expression changes necessary for synapse formation.
Researchers will study how individual variation and behavioral plasticity impact group performance, with both human subjects and bees completing collaborative tasks.
Researchers discovered a feedback signalling mechanism responsible for changes in nerve cells exposed to prolonged light, which may help protect neurons from degeneration. The study provides insight into synaptic plasticity and potential therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative diseases.
A study on burying beetles found that males with higher mating rates are more sensitive to competition and display flexible behavior in response to changing social contexts. This flexibility allows them to adapt to environmental fluctuations and increase their reproductive success.
Researchers discovered that Twist1, a developmental regulator, primes cells for stem-cell-like properties when activated transiently. This leads to cellular plasticity and regenerative potential. Conversely, chronic Twist1 activity promotes invasive, non-proliferative phenotypes in tumor cells.
Researchers found that riluzole treatment boosted spatial memory and communication between neurons in aging rats. The drug promoted the growth of thin spines, which are rapidly adaptable, and increased synaptic clustering.
A new study led by Brown University found that older adults learn and retain visual perception tasks as well as younger people, but struggle to filter out irrelevant information. The researchers suggest this may be due to the brain's tendency to learn more than necessary, leading to a 'plasticity and stability dilemma'.
A study by Brown University researchers found that older adults exhibit plasticity in their white matter, a different part of the brain than younger learners. This contradicts the long-held assumption that learning becomes more difficult with age.
A new study by UCLA scientists found that plants have limited wiggle room to survive drought due to their plasticity. Most plant species accumulate salts in their cell sap to fine-tune their tolerance, but this adjustment only provides a relatively narrow degree of additional drought tolerance.
A team of scientists developed a mathematical model that explains how the brain maintains stability during learning, resolving a decades-old paradox. The model suggests that fast and slow changes in neuronal networks work together to achieve sensitivity and stability.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is establishing nine new Research Units to tackle pressing issues in their respective fields. The units will focus on topics such as needs-based distribution, academic learning, photonic networks, gravity waves, and synaptic plasticity.
Researchers found that Pin1, a small enzyme, modifies the number of postsynaptic receptors and regulates signal transmission. This discovery sheds light on the biochemical mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, offering insights into healthy mechanisms and potential treatments for pathological conditions.
Neuroscientists found that sensory stimuli, even when neurons are silent, can generate long-term synaptic strengthening. This discovery challenges traditional models of synaptic plasticity and has implications for understanding learning and memory, as well as therapeutic possibilities.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that targeted cognitive training can improve attention and memory in healthy seniors and those with specific brain damage. The researchers developed a predictive model to map the effects of this training on brain function, suggesting potential for improving daily lives.
Researchers have found that adult myelination is crucial for regulating neural networks and supporting functions such as learning and memory. The study, published in Neural Regeneration Research, highlights the importance of myelin plasticity in coordinating with neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity.
Researchers found that pyruvate oxidation directly influences β-cell growth and maturity, highlighting the importance of glucose metabolism for β-cell mass maintenance. The study demonstrates a critical role for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in regulating β-cell development and plasticity.
Researchers found that endostatin helps maintain stable neural circuit function through homeostatic plasticity. This discovery challenges previous views on the protein's functions and opens new avenues for understanding neurological disorders.
Retinal glial cell activation is involved in retinal synaptic plasticity following acute high intraocular pressure-induced retinal damage. Inhibiting glial cell activation may be a promising strategy to modulate retinal synaptic plasticity and protect neurons from death.
Chronic insomnia is characterized by increased brain plasticity and activity in the motor cortex, which distinguishes poor sleepers from good ones. The study suggests that TMS may be used to diagnose and potentially treat insomnia through reducing excitability.
A study found that watching videos of tasks before performing them can boost brain structure and increase motor skills in healthy adults. The group who completed this type of training showed significantly improved motor skill abilities compared to those who watched landscape videos.
Researchers at IST Austria found loose coupling between calcium channels and sensors in a specific synapse, challenging the view that it's a developmental phenomenon. This discovery has implications for synaptic plasticity and the function of neurotransmission.
Tinnitus affects millions of Americans, including veterans, and can be debilitating. Researchers at U-M have discovered a process called stimulus-timing dependent multisensory plasticity that is altered in animals with tinnitus. This finding provides a science-based approach to treating the condition.
The MIT model suggests that neurons constantly change connections to explore many possible solutions, but with a balance between hyperplasticity and low signal-to-noise ratio. This allows the brain to learn new skills while retaining previously learned ones, especially if they are not similar.
Research reveals that synaptophysin expression decreases with age in the hippocampus, strongly associated with age-related memory impairment. Caveolin-1 protein also declines with age, suggesting a link between these proteins and age-dependent loss of synaptic plasticity.
Researchers reveal how neurons regulate PP1 protein through neurotransmitter NMDA, allowing PP1 to promote synaptic remodeling. A regulatory protein called inhibitor-2 also helps promote PP1 activity in neurons.
Researchers found that chronic fluoxetine administration can induce a 'juvenile-like' state in specific neurons of the prefrontal cortex, potentially leading to improved plasticity and neural function. This discovery may revolutionize the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders.
Researchers have discovered a simple homeostatic rule that governs the formation of new neural networks in the visual cortex, enabling the brain to adapt to changes. The theory also sheds light on how synapses are formed and abandoned, with implications for understanding learning processes and treating neurological diseases.
A study in mice reveals an essential brain circuit that helps dictate how the eyes connect to the brain, which could lead to new treatments for amblyopia. The research found that manipulating a specific brain circuit can prevent ocular dominance in young mice and induce it in older mice beyond the critical period.
A University of Maryland-led research team found a specific class of inhibitory neurons controlling the timing of synaptic plasticity, which regulates amblyopia. The discovery offers hope for treating amblyopia late in life by targeting the NARP protein.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that altering cortical layout can produce significant changes in connected brain regions, potentially underlying neural developmental problems. This discovery provides insights into the development of autism and other neural disorders.
A solitary mutation in the SYNGAP1 gene can destroy critical 'windows' of early brain development, leading to behavioral and intellectual problems. This research sheds light on the early development of neural circuits in the cortex.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute in Göttingen have discovered a molecular mechanism that turns neurons into true masters of adaptation. This process, known as short-term plasticity, is crucial for brain functions such as sound localization and mental maths.
Researchers found synapses get stronger initially but then quickly weaken through a transitional phase, making them more vulnerable to further stimulation. This discovery suggests ways to control learning by manipulating biochemical pathways that maintain memory.
A study by Dr. Susana T.L. Chung reveals that the visual system of older adults with central vision loss is still plastic and can be modified through experiences. Perceptual learning techniques targeting the preferred retinal location led to an average 50 percent increase in reading speed, improving daily functioning.
Scientists at Tufts University have shown that transplanted eyes can confer vision without a direct neural connection to the brain. The study used frog models and found that ectopic eyes could 'see' and elicit responses similar to those of animals with natural eyes.
Research reveals that Pannexin1 channel protein is critical for synaptic plasticity, a key process in learning and memory. Mice lacking Pannexin1 display autistic-like behavior and impaired spatial orientation, highlighting the importance of this channel for brain function.
A University at Buffalo study finds that synapses in the cochlear nucleus are bundled together by plasticity, allowing for efficient transmission of sound information. This organization enables specialized bushy cells to develop unique sensitivities to sound characteristics.
Recent studies suggest that prolonged administration of human immunoglobulin can attenuate Alzheimer's disease-type cognitive dysfunction while promoting synaptic plasticity. This experimental observation provides a rational basis for rectifying inconsistent study outcomes in Alzheimer's disease clinical trials with IVIG.
Researchers uncover two distinct cell types in the inferior temporal cortex that respond differently to familiar and novel objects. Excitatory neurons fire rapidly at initial encounters, while inhibitory neurons maintain activity over a wider timeframe, driving learning and reorganization.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that D-serine improves memory in 'depressed' rats by increasing brain plasticity. This finding suggests a potential treatment approach for depression, targeting the support cells' functionality.
Researchers discover a small protein fragment that enhances synaptic plasticity, leading to improved learning and memory in rats. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and its manipulation for cognitive enhancement.
Researchers found that goat kids modify their calls according to social surroundings, developing similar 'accents' as they grow older. The study reveals a possible early pathway in the evolution of vocal communication and highlights cognitive abilities in domestic animals.
Research reveals that AgRP neurons drive feeding behaviors and undergo anatomical changes during fasting, becoming more active and responsive to hunger-promoting stimuli. The study provides insight into the neural mechanisms controlling weight gain and obesity.
Researchers found that senior male and female marathon runners have consistently improved their performance over the last 30 years, while younger runners have remained stable. The study suggests that physical activity may slow aging-related processes, but further research is needed to understand the mechanisms involved.
Researchers have found that bone marrow-derived stem cells can contribute to various neural cell types in different areas of the brain, including the olfactory bulb, through mechanisms of plasticity. This discovery suggests a new potential for using these cells for repairing damaged brain tissue and restoring lost neural function.
Researchers at UT Dallas are studying the brain's response to noise-induced tinnitus, discovering that plasticity in the hippocampus can lead to long-term effects. Exposure to loud noises induces changes in brain function, which could lead to new medical interventions.
Researchers investigated how initial free volume distribution impacts plasticity in metallic glasses (MGs). They found that a large amount of randomly distributed free volume leads to more potential sites for shear band initiation and branching, resulting in increased plasticity. However, too much free volume can also cause failure by ...
The discovery reveals changes in silicon's mechanical response with decreasing size, driving unexpected deformation mechanisms. This finding provides a basis for understanding the onset of plasticity in nanovolumes, benefiting nano-device design.
Researchers have found that plasticity genes in the brain activate more easily when building on existing knowledge, making it easier to learn about familiar topics. This paradoxical effect may help explain how professionals acquire their knowledge gradually over time.
A study by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University finds that deaf animals' brains reorganize sensory inputs to preserve their behavioral functions. The research provides insight into brain reorganization following sensory loss, potentially informing the development of more effective rehabilitative medicine for deaf patients.
Mouse brains compensate for disrupted neural functioning by enabling existing neurons to be more active and increasing their lifespan. The findings provide new insight into the brain's plasticity and its ability to reroute neural functioning.
The study highlights plants' ability to adapt to changing environments without requiring evolutionary changes, enabling them to survive in diverse ecosystems. The researchers suggest that species from more heterogeneous environments exhibit greater plasticity, which can aid in projecting plant ranges under climate change scenarios.
Researchers identified SynCAM 1, a molecule that promotes synaptic connections and controls plasticity in the brain. The study found that too much of this molecule can be damaging, while mice with normal amounts of it have impaired learning ability.