Articles tagged with Neocortex
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Researchers at LMU Munich have shown that the brain processes natural visual stimuli with dedicated oscillatory bursts in the visual neocortex. The study, published in Neuron, demonstrates how distinct image properties elicit distinct oscillations in a specific visual circuit.
Researchers discovered a horizontally distributed and modular organization of cortical movement units, with different types of neurons forming functional clusters in distinct regions. The study also found that the brain re-networks and adapts to learn new motor skills.
The study found that slow electrical waves during deep sleep strengthen synaptic connections and make the neocortex more receptive to information. This enhances memory formation by creating a state of elevated readiness in the cortex.
Researchers have found a new brain mechanism that detects prediction errors between expected and actual sensory inputs, boosting responses to unexpected information. This discovery could offer insights into the neural circuits underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs).
Researchers at UCLA Health discovered a novel, energy-efficient mechanism of working memory that reduces metabolic cost even during sleep. The discovery is published in Nature Communications and may provide an early diagnostic for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.
A study by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin found that human neurons communicate in a feed-forward manner, unlike mice where signals flow in loops. This discovery could further the development of artificial neural networks, leading to more efficient and cost-effective AI models.
A new study led by Dr. Mareike Albert identified epiregulin as a growth factor involved in brain expansion in humans, but not in mice or other primates. The findings were made using 3D cell culture technology and brain organoids.
Researchers found one in six individuals with high-stage CTE had low tau pathology in the neocortex, but higher concentrations in the medial temporal lobe and brainstem. This form, called cortical-sparing CTE, may be a distinct subtype with different underlying biology and clinical implications.
A new study using generative AI models simulated how the brain learns and remembers events, revealing how memories are re-constructed in our minds. The model showed how the hippocampus and neocortex work together to create efficient 'conceptual' representations of scenes, enabling us to both recall past experiences and imagine new ones.
Researchers propose a new mathematical neural network theory that consolidates memories to the neocortex if they improve generalization. This view contradicts the classical understanding of systems consolidation, which assumes all memories move from the hippocampus to the neocortex over time.
Researchers found that an extra copy of a gene controlling synapse formation causes excessive inhibitory signaling in the brain of mice with Down syndrome. This may contribute to conditions such as autism, epilepsy, and bipolar disorder.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze high-frequency oscillations in patients' brains during deep sleep, distinguishing between epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic regions. The study achieved an 85% accuracy rate, suggesting a promising method for predicting seizure outcomes.
Researchers have discovered that feedforward and feedback signals converge onto single neurons in the parietal regions of the neocortex, enabling us to integrate sensory and cognitive information streams. This understanding can help develop future treatments for conditions like schizophrenia, ADHD, and sensory-processing disorders.
Researchers produced human and chimpanzee brain organoids to investigate the role of ARHGAP11B in brain evolution. The study found that the gene is essential for neocortex development, with its absence or inhibition leading to decreased levels of critical brain stem cells.
Researchers found that modern human brains produce more neurons than Neandertal brains, particularly in the frontal lobe, due to a single amino acid substitution in the TKTL1 protein. This increase is attributed to changes in metabolism and membrane lipid synthesis.
Researchers at MPI-CBG found that modern human variants cause longer metaphase and fewer chromosome segregation errors in neural stem cells, leading to more efficient brain development. This suggests that some aspects of modern human brain evolution may be independent of brain size.
Researchers at Texas A&M University College of Medicine have identified a crucial mechanism driving the evolution of the neocortex, leading to increased intelligence and surface area. This breakthrough understanding contributes to insights into developmental deficits linked to autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities.
The neocortex's layered structure is critical for healthy brain function. A team from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin identified two key processes that direct this organization, involving the regulatory protein Zeb2.
Researchers at the University of Zurich discovered that the size of connections between nerve cells determines their signaling strength. By measuring synaptic currents and analyzing synapse structure, they found a direct correlation between synapse size and signal strength.
Epileptic spasms originate from pyramidal cells in the deep layers of the neocortex, generating rhythmic slow oscillations similar to NREM sleep states. This discovery opens up new avenues for developing desperately-needed interventional therapies.
A team of scientists has identified a region of the thalamus as a key source of top-down information, which is essential for processing sensory signals in the context of past experiences. This discovery sheds light on how the brain encodes and retrieves memories, particularly in cases of brain disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
A new study by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft scientists has identified a region of the thalamus as a key source of signals encoding past experiences in the neocortex. This discovery sheds light on how the brain forms sensory memories, which are essential for perceiving our environment and interacting with it.
Researchers found that serotonin can stimulate the production of basal progenitor cells in the fetal human brain, potentially contributing to the evolutionary expansion of the neocortex. This new function of serotonin may help explain the development of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
Reelin signaling suppresses OPC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, regulating their radial distribution in the late embryonic mouse neocortex. The regulation of Reelin function by proteolysis is crucial for normal OPC development.
Researchers identified Nrp1 as a novel Reelin receptor, essential for superficial-layer neuron dendrite development in the mouse neocortex. The Reelin-Nrp1 interaction regulates apical dendrite formation, suggesting a new mechanism for normal network establishment.
A research team has cleared up 150 years of false assumptions about bird brains. The study found that avian brains are organized similarly to mammalian brains, with fibers arranged horizontally and vertically in columns.
Researchers find that the human-specific gene ARHGAP11B causes an enlarged neocortex in common marmosets, a non-human primate. The study suggests that this gene may have played a key role in the expansion of the human neocortex during evolution.
Researchers at UC Riverside found that paternal alcohol exposure before conception can negatively impact brain development and behavior in offspring. Choline supplementation during pregnancy showed promise in reducing adverse outcomes associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.
Researchers have developed a high-speed microscope that can image the brain of an alert mouse 1,000 times a second, capturing millisecond electrical pulses through neurons. This technique allows neuroscientists to track sub-threshold inputs and identify transmission problems associated with disease.
The Blue Brain researchers have generated statistical instances of the micro-connectome of 10 million neurons, a model spanning five orders of magnitude and containing 88 billion synaptic connections. This model reveals a surprisingly complex structure at cellular resolution, tying together neurons in different regions and at opposite ...
Researchers at IST Austria identified PRC2 as a key protein regulating temporal maturation of stem cells, leading to correct neuron type production. Eliminating PRC2 activity resulted in incorrect neuronal cell type composition and reduced neuron numbers.
Researchers found that simultaneous ripple activity occurred in key parts of the brains of epilepsy patients before they recalled memories. The team also discovered that coordinated ripple synchronization triggered electrical activity patterns seen during learning and was associated with correct memory recall.
Researchers at Numenta describe a framework for understanding how the brain produces intelligence based on grid cells in the neocortex. They propose that cortical grid cells allow the neocortex to learn models of objects, enabling generalization and compositionality.
Researchers discovered a key brain mechanism that underlies our ability to rapidly focus attention. The cholinergic system plays a crucial role in triggering desynchronization of neurons, allowing individual neurons to respond to sensory information differently. This allows us to focus on specific stimuli while ignoring distractions.
Researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding how brain circuits control behavior by identifying two types of intermingled nerve cells with distinct roles. The study used extensive analyses of neurons' shapes, gene activity, and function to tease out which cells are responsible for planning and initiating movements.
Researchers discovered that subplate neurons form transient synapses with newborn neurons, controlling their migration during fetal brain development. This finding sheds light on the mechanisms regulating neuronal migration and its implications for mental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered that birds and primates share similar brain cell types linked to cognitive abilities, such as goal-directed behaviors. This finding suggests that these species may have evolved intelligence independently, despite their distinct anatomical structures.
A study published in eLife reveals that certain mammalian neurons have shapes and electrical properties well-suited for deep learning. The algorithm simulates how these neurons collaborate to achieve deep learning, offering a more biologically realistic approach.
A Yale-led study found distinct differences in human brain regions, including a unique gene expression pattern in the striatum and higher levels of MET in the prefrontal cortex. These findings suggest that the human brain's cognitive abilities may be linked to specific genetic variations.
Researchers at Numenta propose a new theory for how the brain learns models of objects through movement, pairing sensory input with location signals. The theory predicts that even the first levels of processing in the brain are learning and recognizing complete objects.
Researchers at MPFI discovered significant regional differences among chandelier cells in the hippocampus and neocortex. Chandelier cells exhibit distinct characteristics, including expanded axonal arbors, increased connections, and differential gene expression.
Sleeping brain waves form associations between memory components, enabling long-term memory consolidation. Researchers discovered 'Princess Leia' oscillations in the neocortex, peaking in one area and then adjacent areas, facilitating neuronal communication and memory linking.
Researchers at Numenta compared their biologically-derived HTM sequence memory to traditional machine learning algorithms, demonstrating comparable prediction accuracy. The new paper highlights the algorithm's properties, including continuous online learning and robustness to sensor noise, making it ideal for streaming data applications.
Researchers at Numenta Inc. have published a new theory on how networks of neurons in the neocortex learn sequences, providing a breakthrough in understanding neural circuits.
New research on ancient rodent Paramys reveals its brain was larger than expected but smaller in the neocortex region. This suggests that brain evolution occurred differently in early rodents compared to primates, highlighting the limitations of using brain size as a measure of intelligence.
The Blue Brain Project digitally reconstructs a slice of juvenile rat brain containing over 31,000 neurons and 55 layers, enabling researchers to simulate neural activity and circuit-level behaviors
By expressing Pax6 in mouse basal progenitor cells, researchers mimicked the behavior of human brain cells, leading to increased cell division and a larger neocortex. This study contributes to understanding the molecular mechanisms behind brain expansion and cognitive functions.
Researchers have characterized early-stage changes in Alzheimer's-affected cells, revealing that even a small number of affected cells can cause widespread electrical activity disruption. This could lead to the development of new diagnostic methods, including electroencephalogram screening.
A research team analyzed gyrencephaly index of 100 mammalian brains to identify a threshold value that separates species into two groups: highly folded and less folded. The study found differences in cortical folding did not evolve linearly across species, with life-history traits influencing brain development.
A new study reveals the cerebellum expanded up to six times faster than expected in human and ape evolution, shifting focus from the neocortex. The findings suggest technical intelligence was equally important as social intelligence in human cognitive evolution.
Brown University neuroscientists report that they have directly controlled the cells producing gamma brainwaves in mice, resulting in increased touch sensitivity. The study confirms the first direct evidence of gamma brainwaves affecting perception and attention, suggesting a more complex role for these brainwaves than previously thought.
Researchers discovered 3D plumes of brain activity propagating through the avian brain, differing from mammalian slow-wave-sleep patterns. This finding suggests alternative computational properties and challenges the layered organization assumption.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found a crucial molecular signal guiding brain development in the neocortex. The discovery may aid research on autism, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric conditions by understanding how molecules like reelin regulate neuron migration.
Researchers measured brain activity during sleep and found the entorhinal cortex shows persistent activity, behaving as if it's remembering something. This challenges conventional theories about memory consolidation during sleep.
Researchers found cells similar to mammalian neocortex in bird brains, contradicting long-held assumptions about their anatomy. The study opens up new animal models for studying the neocortex and its evolution.
A new study has provided insight into the evolutionary scenario guiding sensory information projections in different species. Researchers discovered that subtle changes in the migration of 'guidepost' neurons underlie major differences in brain connectivity between mammals and nonmammalian vertebrates.
A Scripps Research study reveals a new mechanism controlling brain formation, where reelin regulates glial-independent migration of nerve cells. The findings have significant implications for understanding diseases such as schizophrenia and autism.
Researchers used a transgenic mouse model to visualize the most active neurons in the neocortex, finding that they act like a small population of highly connected individuals on Facebook. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of the brain's center of higher learning and its role in learning.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that the brains of humans and chickens share comparable regions for analyzing auditory inputs. The study found laminated layers of cells linked by narrow columns in both species, indicating that complex cognitive functions may have evolved from ancient vertebrates.
Researchers have discovered a new stem cell in the developing human brain that produces nerve cells forming the neocortex, the site of higher cognitive function. The study sheds light on developmental diseases such as autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease, and could lead to novel therapies.