Articles tagged with Synaptic Plasticity
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Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute found that Sirtuin1 promotes memory and brain flexibility, with potential implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The study suggests a novel microRNA-based mechanism by which SIRT1 aids memory and synaptic plasticity.
Scientists at UCSF successfully created a new period of brain plasticity in juvenile mice by transplanting embryonic cells into the visual cortex. This approach may one day be used to repair neural circuits following injury or disease. The findings suggest that inhibitory neurons play a crucial role in regulating this plasticity period.
A study by researchers at the University of California - San Diego has found that amyloid beta reduces plasticity in dendritic spines, affecting synapse transmission and memory storage. Continuous release of Aβ is required to prevent this effect.
A new study published in Science has found that a specific gene associated with schizophrenia plays a critical role in adaptive plasticity, the brain's ability to compensate for disruptions. The discovery suggests that impaired adaptive plasticity may contribute to the development or progression of schizophrenia.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University use Diffusion Imaging MRI to track memory changes and explore early detection of Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals that brain microstructure can change in mere hours, allowing for a quantifiable measure of individual brain plasticity.
A larger cortex is associated with greater intellectual capacity, according to new research. Cortical modules, vertical columns of interconnected neurons, vary in number and diversity across the cerebral cortex.
Synaptic plasticity plays a crucial role in maintaining brain homeostasis, ensuring an effective response to challenges followed by recovery. The study provides the first set of synaptic rules for resetting homeostatic setpoints in vivo.
Research by Suzanne Peyer reveals that zebra mussels' ability to produce strong 'byssal threads' enables them to attach securely in fast-moving waters, outperforming quagga mussels. This adaptation allows zebra mussels to thrive in rivers and streams, whereas quagga mussels are more commonly found in calm lake waters.
A team of neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has discovered the mechanism by which a signaling protein controls the maturation and strength of excitatory synapses. The study, led by Professor Linda Van Aelst, found that oligophrenin-1 stabilizes postsynaptic AMPA receptors, which is essential for proper synaptic function.
Researchers discover synaptotagmin-IV (Syt-IV) regulates synaptic plasticity, keeping connections between nerve cells optimal for learning and memory. The study's findings may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals how a single disrupted gene can cause Angelman syndrome, a form of severe mental retardation. The researchers found that brain cells in mice with the condition lacked ability to strengthen or weaken connections, but that sensory deprivation could recover plasticity.
Researchers found that sleep decreases the number of new synapses formed during social enrichment, while deprivation of sleep eliminates this decrease. The study identified three genes essential to links between learning and increased need for sleep, offering a promising avenue for studying plasticity.
Research reveals that sleep consolidates cortical plasticity through strengthening responses to non-deprived eye stimulation. Key mechanisms include NMDAR- and protein kinase A-mediated intracellular cascades, promoting synaptic strengthening and neuronal remodeling.
A repressive protein can promote plasticity in sensory neurons by activating translation in response to environmental stimuli. This process allows animals to adapt to persistent odors and reset their sensitivity.
Scientists have identified a missing-link molecule that explains the process of plasticity and could lead to targeted therapies for learning and memory. The discovery of myosin Vb, a molecular motor, reveals its role in delivering new receptors to synapses, strengthening connections between nerve cells.
A new study offers hope for adults with untreated amblyopia, finding that the brain regions responsible for vision can adapt in adulthood. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy has been shown to improve contrast sensitivity in patients' amblyopic eyes for at least 30 minutes.
Research reveals new neurons produced in cerebellum of young and adult rabbits, expanding understanding of mammalian neurogenesis. This breakthrough opens new avenues for brain repair and regeneration research in humans.
A new class of anti-obesity drugs that block cannabinoid receptors may disrupt neural development in children. The study suggests caution when using these compounds in juvenile mice and potentially humans.
Researchers from the University of Bristol have identified a key molecular mechanism controlling synaptic plasticity, which is vital for visual recognition memory and learning. Blocking this mechanism prevents visual recognition memory in rats, demonstrating its importance in brain function.
The study found that antidepressants like fluoxetine enhance neuronal plasticity in the visual system by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), allowing for improved vision in individuals with amblyopia. Environmental stimuli, such as rehabilitation or therapy, are required to guide the rearrangement of cortical connections.
A new class of painkillers that block the TRPV1 receptor may interfere with brain functions such as learning and memory, according to a recent study. The researchers found that the receptor regulates neural mechanisms involved in establishing memory pathways in the brain.
Neuroscientists identified a novel mechanism for long-term learning, revealing how NMDA receptors weaken synapses and impair further learning. The discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory, potentially leading to a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study reveals that growth factors and the environment work together to accelerate brain maturation, particularly in visual system development. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is identified as a key mediator of this process.
A study suggests that new adult brain cells play a crucial role in lifelong learning by exhibiting plasticity similar to young brains. The researchers found that these cells have a critical period of adaptability before settling into mature properties, enabling them to contribute to specific brain functions throughout life.
A University of Houston engineer is using a new device to study the adult brain's ability to adjust and recover from injuries. The research aims to understand the level of plasticity in adult brains and potentially develop new treatments for brain damage.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon scientists found that a mouse brain can significantly compensate when limited to sensing the world through one whisker. The results provide new understanding of brain adaptability in response to sensory deprivation, which can be applied to stroke or traumatic brain injury treatment.
Studies reveal differences in genetic activity between juvenile and adult mouse brains under visual experience, triggering histone modifications. This discovery provides insights into the mechanism of plasticity during the critical period.
Neural prostheses aim to restore function through electrical stimulation to damaged motor neural circuits, exploiting brain plasticity to enhance treatment outcomes. By engaging the brain in a remediation process, devices can be designed to promote plastic adaptation and optimize performance.
Brandeis researchers discovered that cortical inhibition plays a key role in experience-dependent plasticity, with inhibitory networks within the cortex being highly plastic. This finding challenges traditional views on brain development and highlights the importance of targeting inhibitory networks for optimal cognitive growth.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers reveals that the immune system protein paired-immunoglobulin like receptor-B (PirB) inhibits neuronal plasticity in adult mice, while a deficiency in PirB leads to enhanced plasticity throughout life. This discovery has important implications for future studies and repairs of the brain.
Researchers discovered that nanoscale materials can withstand near-theoretical shear stresses even with high defect densities, challenging traditional concepts of plastic deformation. Using a unique experimental setup, they correlated load-displacement measurements with individual video frames to study the sequence of events.
Researchers trained adult ferrets to localize sounds despite obstructed hearing, finding that frequency of training was crucial for improvement. The study showed that the brain can adapt to abnormal spatial cues rapidly with intensive training, suggesting potential benefits for patients with hearing disorders.
A recent Carnegie Mellon University study has verified synaptic plasticity in a living animal's brain for the first time, pointing to future avenues for understanding the learning process. The research reveals that experience-dependent changes occur in AMPA receptors at specific synapses, altering their properties and subunit composition.
Researchers found that electrical synapses in the thalamic reticular nucleus can undergo long-term changes, influencing brain rhythms and behavioral states. The study provides new insights into neural plasticity and its role in regulating sleep, wakefulness, and other critical brain functions.
Researchers at Yale University found that myelin physically limits axonal growth and regeneration after traumatic injury. Blocking vision in one eye normally alters ocular dominance only during critical development, but mutations in the Nogo-66 receptor affect abnormal plasticity later in life.
Researchers at Boston University found that the brain's ability to fill in gaps in visual information can be both beneficial and detrimental. The study showed that adults can develop a perceptual bias, seeing stimuli even when they are not present, which can lead to errors in perception and memory.
The retina's neural connections can reorganize and adapt in response to sudden changes in ambient light, allowing it to process visual information more efficiently. This finding has implications for the development of prosthetic retinal devices and may help researchers better understand the underlying mechanisms of vision.
Researchers identify basal forebrain cholinergic system as essential substrate for cortical plasticity and functional recovery after focal cortical injury. The study found that rats lacking a cholinergic system recovered only about 18% of their reaching ability after rehabilitation training.
Researchers found that mice with enhanced neuronal excitability outperformed their wild-type counterparts in the Morris water maze, a test for learning and memory. The study suggests that manipulating neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity may be effective in ameliorating age-related cognitive decline.
Deletion of d-catenin leads to severe learning and memory deficits and alterations in synaptic plasticity. The study establishes a causal link between d-catenin deletions and cognitive dysfunction, offering insights into the mechanisms underlying Cri-du-Chat Syndrome and Familial Alzheimer's disease.
Bone marrow derived stem cells can give rise to heart muscle cells through transdifferentiation, a process that has sparked debate and potential applications in heart repair and transplantation. The concept challenges traditional dogma of tissue specific stem cell differentiation in adults.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a molecular mechanism that allows neurons to adjust their sensitivity to stimulation, a process known as homeostatic plasticity. This discovery provides long-sought clues to how neurons protect themselves during stroke, epilepsy, and spinal cord injury.
Research suggests that postnatal experiences can affect brain development and function in individuals with Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder causing mental retardation, and schizophrenia, a severe emotional disorder. Abnormalities in synaptic pruning processes and neurotransmitter regulation are common to both conditions.
Research suggests that moderate drinking during pregnancy may cause subtle, long-lasting cognitive problems in offspring. Studies found that adult rodent offspring of mothers who consumed low to moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy had impaired spatial learning and reduced synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
A study highlights the need for UK childhood screening for amblyopia, finding that effective treatment can prevent incapacitating vision loss later in life. The research also suggests a lower risk of visual improvement among adults, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have made significant progress in understanding the function of two proteins involved in neurotransmitter release. The study found that RIM1a is essential for long-term plasticity, a process critical for learning and memory. This breakthrough has broad implications for the development of dr...