A single base alteration in a gene called NOVA1 changed downstream protein function, brainwaves, and neural connections in human evolution.
A new study provides evidence that pigeons tackle some problems just as artificial intelligence would – allowing them to solve difficult tasks that would vex humans.Previous research had shown pigeons learned how to solve complex categorization tasks that human ways of thinking – like selective attention and explicit rule use – would not b...
A hypothetical model to understand how “touch” is represented in the brain.
The brain of mammals lacks a significant ability to regenerate neurons and is thus particularly vulnerable. To protect the brain from injury and disease, damage control by astrocytes through astrogliosis and scar formation is vital. Here, we show that brain injury in mice triggers an immediate upregulation of the actin-binding protein Drebrin (DBN) in astrocytes, which is essential for scar formation and maintenance of astrocyte reactivity. In turn, DBN loss leads to defective astrocyte scar formation and excessive neurodegeneration following brain injuries. At the cellular level, we show that DBN switches actin homeostasis from ARP2/3-dependent arrays to microtubule-compatible scaffolds, facilitating the formation of RAB8-positive membrane tubules. This injury-specific RAB8 membrane compartment serves as hub for the trafficking of surface proteins involved in astrogliosis and adhesion mediators, such as β1-integrin. Our work shows that DBN-mediated membrane trafficking in astrocytes is an important neuroprotective mechanism following traumatic brain injury in mice. Reactive astrocytes control tissue damage following traumatic brain injury. Here the authors show that Drebrin (DBN) regulates scar formation and astrocyte reactivity in mice. Astrocytic DBN plays its neuroprotective role through the mediation of membrane trafficking.
Researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience have developed a new combination of technologies that allows them to identify the functional properties of individual synapses that link the two hemispheres and determine how they are arranged within a neuron's dendritic field.
Challenging conventional theories on how neural information is relayed in the brain via one-way street. A study shows that when the receiving post-synaptic dendrites are overloaded the pre-synaptic
Sleep disruption promotes the spread of damaging tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease
Washington D.C. [USA], Dec 15 (ANI): A recent study has found that the conscious perception (global neural networks) of visual location occurs in the frontal lobes of the brain, rather than in the visual system in the back of the brain.
A Scientist’s Quest for Better Brain-Computer Interfaces Opens a Window on Neural Dynamics on Simons Foundation
Researchers have discovered a new resting phase of stem cells called "Neural G0" that could help put brain tumors to sleep.
Epileptic seizures happen when there is a burst of neural activity that leads to a seizure. This article looks at the mechanism of epileptic seizures.
恐怖心の制御は人や動物の生活で非常に重要です。強...
Even those of us who can’t play a musical instrument or lack a sense of rhythm can perceive and enjoy music. But are we alone?
We dive into the Matterhorn Method, a program developed by NHL player Ryan Vesce, dedicated to enhancing one's neuromuscular connection.
Harvard Medical University Professor Gabriel Kreiman discusses biological and computer vision and explains what separates current AI systems from the human visual cortex.
Memories from a distant past, also known as remote memories, can guide the present and future behavior of humans and other living organisms on Earth. In psychology and neuroscience, the term "remote memories" refers to all memories related to events that took place from a few weeks to decades in the past.
What are the differences in brain activity between musically trained and untrained individuals? Co-investigators Caroline Palmer, Signy Sheldon and Rebecca Scheurich receive $20,000 from the GRAMMY Museum Grant Program to find out
Researchers studying neurological diseases face several daunting challenges. For one thing, these conditions may take years or even decades to develop. On top of that, experimenting on the brains of healthy human beings simply is not ethical, and suitable human neurological models have not been readily available.
Scientists have discovered a possible driving force behind some of nature's most beautiful displays paving the way for more complex and autonomous AI.
Researchers have developed soft robotic devices driven by neuromuscular tissue that triggers when stimulated by light – bringing mechanical engineering one step closer to developing autonomous biobots.
