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.
The study suggests that memory plays a pivotal role in shaping consciousness, contrasting the idea that computer-based Information Theory provides a sufficient framework for understanding neural memory. The researchers propose a novel perspective that memory underpins consciousness, introducing the concept of a "brain cloud" to illustr...
Researchers discover a new mechanism of neural plasticity underlying learning and memory processes, highlighting the crucial role of chondroitin sulfates in brain function. The study provides insights into how these molecules contribute to synaptic modifications and spatial memory.
A research team has discovered that G-quadraplex DNA (G4-DNA) accumulates in neurons and dynamically controls gene expression underlying long-term memory formation. The study revealed the causal mechanism underlying G4-DNA regulation, involving site-directed deposition of the DNA helicase DHX36.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst study is tracking over 300 infants and preschoolers to assess the importance of napping on brain development. The research aims to identify the bioregulatory mechanisms involved in napping and its impact on memory, with findings expected to inform nap policies for young children.
Researchers investigate how early-stage Alzheimer's disease affects memory formation by examining synaptic connections and amyloid beta. The study aims to understand the role of NMDA receptors in synaptic plasticity and how they might be hijacked by amyloid beta, leading to memory dysfunction.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Brain Science discovered neural circuitry in the spinal cord that enables brain-independent motor learning and recall. The study found two critical groups of neurons: one necessary for new adaptive learning and another for recalling adaptations once learned.
A new platform called TurboID has been developed to identify regulatory mechanisms driving dendritic translation, a process crucial for memory formation. The study reveals the role of micropeptides in protein synthesis and their potential link to intellectual disabilities like Fragile X syndrome.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University discovered that dogs have a 'canine g factor' similar to humans, influencing cognitive abilities and ageing patterns. The study found a global cognitive decline in dogs over two and a half years, with poorer health affecting the rate of decline.
Chickadees have unique neural barcodes that represent individual memories of caching food, which are distinct from place cells that trigger location-based responses. This discovery sheds light on how episodic memories are encoded in the brain and may have implications for understanding memory formation and storage.
Researchers at Columbia University found that black-capped chickadees use unique patterns of electrical activity in their hippocampus to encode episodic memories, such as hiding and retrieving food. This 'barcode-like' mechanism may be a common tactic in animal brains, including humans.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism in the brain that determines which memories are consolidated into permanent form during sleep. Sharp wave-ripples, a pattern of neural activity, are believed to be the key 'tagging' system that identifies important experiences and replays them during sleep.
Researchers have identified PDE4B as a potential target for treating Alzheimer's disease, where reducing its activity shows promise in improving memory and glucose metabolism. The study suggests that this approach may also protect against other forms of dementia, such as Huntington's disease.
Researchers developed a new model that highlights the crucial role of interactions among neighboring contact sites of nerve cells for brain plasticity. Synaptic plasticity, the brain's method for learning, is shaped by the strength and stability of neuronal connections, which are influenced by both excitatory and inhibitory synapses.
A recent study by Boston Children's Hospital researchers found that activity in the dentate gyrus helps keep us focused on our environment when our mind wanders. This neural activity also aids in forming memories.
Research suggests that magnetite particles, found in air pollution, can induce signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The study exposed mice to fine particles of iron, magnetite, and diesel hydrocarbons, finding that magnetite induced Alzheimer's disease pathologies, including neuronal cell loss and amyloid plaque formation.
Researchers found that individuals with mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) struggle with ambiguous sentences, indicating a key deficit in processing complex language. This deficit is independent of memory loss and may serve as an additional 'cognitive biomarker' for early detection.
Researchers found that lower activity of the Snhg11 gene in brains with Down syndrome contributes to memory deficits. The study suggests a key role for non-coding RNAs in regulating gene activity and influencing complex traits.
A new brain stimulation technique called Patterned Low-Intensity Low-Frequency Ultrasound (LILFUS) has been developed by researchers at the Institute for Basic Science. This non-invasive method uses ultrasound to induce long-lasting changes in brain function and has shown promise in treating various neurological disorders.
Researchers discovered a single population of neurons in the CA2 area of the hippocampus can use different codes to represent familiar and unfamiliar individuals. This finding may shed light on disorders affecting memory such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's.
Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism behind memory creation and found that saturated fatty acids interact with a protein called STXBP1. This interaction coordinates the release of fatty acids and directs communication at synapses in the brain.
Researchers found that handwriting by hand increases brain connectivity, promoting better memory formation and encoding of new information. This discovery highlights the need for more handwriting activities in schools, potentially leading to improved learning outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a new function for the protein RPT6, which helps form memories. RPT6 binds to DNA and increases gene expression during memory formation, playing a dual role in memory processing.
Researchers found that memory cells become more stable over time, improving ability to distinguish between similar experiences. This process could lead to new treatments for memory disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
New research from the University of Copenhagen shows that physical exercise improves ability to learn and remember motor skills, such as riding a bike or driving a car. Exercise before or after practicing new skills can lead to up to 10% improvement in memory, with enhanced effects when done both times.
Researchers found that traumatic memories immediately following a distressing event are more memorable than the moments leading up to it. This discovery has implications for eyewitness testimonies, therapies for PTSD, and understanding memory decline in brain disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Growth hormone influences regulation of anxiety via a specific group of neurons, according to researchers at the University of São Paulo. The study identified somatostatin-expressing neurons as key players in modulating GH's anxiolytic effect, with increased anxiety observed in mice lacking these neurons.
Researchers discovered a striking similarity between AI models and the human brain's hippocampus, which enables powerful AI systems. By mimicking the NMDA receptor's gating process, they improved long-term memory in Transformer models.
A two-week yoga nidra intervention increased sleep efficiency and percentage of delta-waves in deep sleep, leading to improved cognitive abilities such as decision-making and abstraction. Cognitive tests revealed faster responses with no loss in accuracy.
Researchers found lower levels of serotonin transporter and higher levels of amyloid-beta protein in brains of people with mild cognitive impairment, a potential target for treatments to slow or stop disease progression. Further research is needed to study the role of serotonin in disease progression.
A new study found that traumatic memories in people with PTSD are represented in the brain in a distinct way, deviating from regular memory processing. The hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex regions showed different neural responses to traumatic and sad autobiographical memories.
Researchers from the University of Queensland have identified a noncoding RNA called Gas5 that coordinates neuronal excitability in real time, contributing to learning and memory. The study found that this RNA is uniquely required for fear extinction memory, a type of critical input processing that leads to the formation of memory.
A world-first report found that alternative reporting options could help increase the number of women who report sexual assaults to police. Trauma-informed interviews designed in line with best-practice techniques can improve outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual assault who use them.
Researchers found that learning occurs through continuous formation of new connections between specific engram cells in different regions of the brain. This process allows us to form and store memories, with changes in synaptic wiring connectivity between these cells being a key mechanism for memory storage.
Researchers have identified a shared network of brain regions involved in various types of long-term memory, including general semantic, personal semantic, and episodic memory. The study found that these memory types rely on activating the same areas of the brain at differing magnitudes.
A study published in Nature Communications found that music-evoked emotions create boundaries between episodes, making them easier to remember. Fluctuating emotions help form separate and durable memories, even from neutral experiences. The research has great therapeutic promise for helping people with PTSD and depression.
A small molecule called YM022 has been discovered to block aversive memory formation in mice, offering a new direction for developing anti-depressants. The study found that YM022 suppressed neuroplasticity-caused aversive memory formation and reduced depressive behaviors in mice.
Researchers tested EMDR, a therapy proven to treat PTSD and depression, to reduce addiction cravings. The study found Addiction-focused EMDR was as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy for cravings, reducing symptoms by clinically significant amounts.
A newly developed labeling method allows for visualization of intraregional synaptic connections between inhibitory interneurons and excitatory engram cells. Researchers have identified the role of inhibitory interneurons in memory expression, suggesting that they suppress fear expression by inhibiting fear engram cells.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin discovered that autism-induced maternal immune response alters brain development and prevents infantile amnesia. Memories formed during infancy can be permanently reinstated through light-activated neural pathways in adults.
A Cornell University-led study has separated the role of the hippocampus in two functions of memory, which are crucial for associating time, place, and past experiences with future actions. The breakthrough has significant implications for treating memory and learning issues found in Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Researchers have discovered that traumatic memories create new neural networks and associations between distinct networks, enabling fear-based learning and recall. The study used optical and machine-learning approaches to visualize the dynamics of brain activity during memory formation.
Researchers found that the medial septum, a brain area in the center of the forebrain, plays a key role in encoding and retrieval processes. It helps generate gamma oscillations, which are faster for storing and slower for recalling memories.
A new study published in Neuron reveals that pericytes, a type of vascular cell, play a vital role in teaming up with neurons to form and store long-term memories. The research found that insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) produced by pericytes enhances memory formation and storage.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that saturated fats can interfere with the creation of new memories in aged brains. However, omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, may help protect brain cells from fat-related inflammation. The study used cell cultures and brain tissue from aging mice to explore the effects of...
A recent study published in Journal of Advertising sheds light on the effects of in-stream video advertising on ad information encoding. The research found that mid-roll ads elicit negative emotions but do not affect viewers' purchase intention. In contrast, pre- and post-roll ads have a significant impact on memory formation, highligh...
A study of 1,500 participants found that certain brain regions, including the hippocampus, exhibit stronger activation in individuals with better memory performance. The researchers identified functional networks in the brain linked to memory performance, shedding light on individual differences in memory recall.
Caribbean box jellyfish have demonstrated complex learning capabilities, including associative learning and memory formation, despite having only one thousand nerve cells. This discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary success of jellyfish and raises questions about the universality of advanced learning mechanisms in animals.
A cluster of neurons in the fruit fly brain transforms memories about past rewards into actions, guiding the fly's navigation. The UpWiNs also send signals to dopaminergic neurons for higher-order learning, shedding light on parallel neural circuit mechanisms.
A new approach to PTSD treatment may involve targeting cerebellar inhibitory interneurons, which play a critical role in fear memory formation. The research found that these interneurons drive fear memory consolidation via learning-induced HCN plasticity.
Researchers found that insects like American cockroaches use the mushroom body to encode behavioral decision-making based on sensory information. The study challenges the prevailing view of insect cognition, suggesting a more complex brain function than previously thought.
The Wang Lab at MPFI will investigate neural circuits underlying Alzheimer's disease with a new $1.038M NIH grant. The research aims to shed light on how the brain forms and maintains memories, particularly in patients with declining cholinergic inputs.
Researchers from Sophia University found that melatonin and its derivatives, such as ramelteon and N1-acetyl-5-methoxyquinuramine, facilitate the formation of long-term memory in male mice. The study suggests that melatonin modulates the phosphorylation levels of key proteins involved in long-term memory formation.
Researchers found that natural forgetting can be reversed in certain circumstances, with memories stored in engram cells still intact but inaccessible. Competition between engrams affects recall, and forgotten memory traces can be reactivated by cues or updated with new information.
Glycosaminoglycans, complex sugars in the brain's extracellular matrix, regulate neural connectivity through sulfation patterns. This discovery could lead to treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders by manipulating these patterns.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst kinesiologist is implementing a physical activity program for young children in preschools with low socioeconomic status. The pilot study aims to measure the impact on cognitive development and gross motor skills, with potential long-term implications for health disparities.
Research reveals a local mechanism in neurons that enables insulin-like growth factors to facilitate brain plasticity. IGF release is necessary for activating the IGF1-Receptor during synaptic plasticity, leading to neuron growth and strengthening.
Researchers found that Period 1 gene becomes more active in memory-forming region of brain in daylight hours after learning, playing crucial role in consolidating memories. Mice exhibit improved daytime memory performance compared to nighttime.
Researchers found that people who imagined planning a heist had better memory the next day compared to those who imagined executing it. Curiosity supercharges memory for paintings seen while pretending to be an art thief.
A new study published in Aging (Albany NY) suggests that prior training can rescue cognitive decline in aging by improving task performance and strengthening memory processes. The research, conducted on rats, found that prior training enhanced short-term and intermediate memory, while also enabling encoding-boosted long-term memory.