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Rats 'dream' paths to a brighter future

Researchers monitored brain activity in rats and found that during rest, the hippocampus simulates walking to and from food that was previously inaccessible. This suggests that the hippocampus plans routes for the future as well as recording past experiences with motivational cues like food. The study could help explain why people with...

Memories influence choice of food

A study published in Neuron found that people tend to prefer snacks they can recall better, even if they are less attractive. The researchers used fMRI scans and mathematical modeling to understand how memory influences decision-making, revealing an increase in communication between the hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNeuron·DateMay 21, 2015

Population genomics unveil seahorse domain

Researchers have determined that seahorses are more permanent residents of the western mid-Atlantic Ocean than previously thought. The study used genomic data to infer three genetically divergent subpopulations, strongly supporting Virginia Province inhabitants as a historically persistent ancestral gene pool.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 30, 2015

Many memories, many rooms

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that rats can create a unique map for every environment, allowing them to remember distinct locations without mixing up similar events. This discovery sheds light on the brain's storage capacity and memory organization.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2014

Carving memories at their joints

A study published in PLOS Computational Biology proposes a theoretical framework for understanding memory formation and modification. The researchers suggest that large prediction errors lead to memory formation, while small errors result in memory modification. Damage to the hippocampus can impair the brain's ability to carve memories.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 6, 2014

Manipulating memory with light

Scientists at UC Davis used optogenetics to erase specific memories in mice, showing coordinated activity between the cerebral cortex and hippocampus during memory retrieval. The study confirms a long-standing idea about memory processing, providing new insights into how the brain functions.

Electric current to brain boosts memory

Researchers at Northwestern University used Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to improve memory in healthy adults, showing that specific brain regions can be stimulated to enhance learning abilities. The study's findings have potential applications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateAug 28, 2014

H.M.'s brain yields new evidence

A 3D model of Henry Molaison's (H.M.) brain has been created, providing new insight into the neurological basis of his severe amnesia. The study reveals a small lesion in the left orbitofrontal cortex that was likely created during H.M.'s 1953 surgery, which may help scientists understand the consequences of similar operations today.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2014

Delaying gratification, when the reward is under our noses

A recent study found that the hippocampus helps individuals resist temptation by simulating future outcomes. Individuals with hippocampus damage, such as those with Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal dementia, struggle to imagine long-term rewards, leading to impulsive decisions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 22, 2013