Tag: Neuroanatomy and Structure

Heterogeneity in Slow Synaptic Transmission Diversifies Purkinje Cell Timing

AI SummaryThe content discusses the discovery of heterogeneity in slow synaptic transmission at parallel fiber synapses to Purkinje cells in the mouse cerebellum. Unlike uniform fast synaptic transmission, the properties of slow synaptic transmission varied significantly across different lobules, leading to surprising heterogeneity in the timing of Purkinje cell firing patterns. Depending on the location… Continue reading Heterogeneity in Slow Synaptic Transmission Diversifies Purkinje Cell Timing

Medial Prefrontal Cortex Stimulation Reduces Retrieval-Induced Forgetting via Fronto-parietal Beta Desynchronization

AI SummaryIn this study, researchers found that stimulating the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) with transcranial direct current stimulation reduced retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) by increasing the retrieval accuracy of competing memories. The stimulation led to a more pronounced beta desynchronization within the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (left-DLPFC) and the parietal cortex, which are associated with successful… Continue reading Medial Prefrontal Cortex Stimulation Reduces Retrieval-Induced Forgetting via Fronto-parietal Beta Desynchronization

Study assesses seizure risk from stimulating the thalamus

AI SummaryResearchers from MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital conducted a study assessing seizure risk associated with electrically stimulating the central thalamus in awake mice. The study found that electrographic seizures occurred in 10 out of 12 mice in response to CT-DBS, even at low current levels. Seizure risk increased with higher current levels, independent of… Continue reading Study assesses seizure risk from stimulating the thalamus

Finding some stability in adaptable brains

AI SummaryIn a study conducted by MIT’s McGovern Institute, researchers like neuroscientist Mark Harnett investigate how individual neurons in the brain’s sensory cortex can maintain stability while also being adaptable. They discovered that some synapses on pyramidal neurons lose flexibility early in life, allowing for a combination of stable and flexible synapses to interpret visual… Continue reading Finding some stability in adaptable brains

Harnessing the power of placebo for pain relief

AI SummarySummary: Researchers at the McGovern Institute have developed an animal model to investigate the neural circuits underlying the placebo effect for pain relief. By activating pain-suppressing neurons in mice while in a specific environment, they were able to teach the animals to experience less pain in that context. The context-dependent placebo effect showed promise… Continue reading Harnessing the power of placebo for pain relief

Novel immunotherapy improves recovery from spinal cord injury

AI SummarySummary: Researchers have developed a novel immunotherapy approach using engineered immune cells in mice to minimize damage from spinal cord injuries. Mice treated with this approach showed improved recovery from injuries, suggesting potential for human therapy development.Researchers have designed, in mice, an approach to minimizing the damage from a spinal cord injury through the… Continue reading Novel immunotherapy improves recovery from spinal cord injury

The Lysine Acetyltransferase PCAF Functionally Interacts with Estrogen Receptor Alpha in the Hippocampus of Gonadally Intact Male–But Not Female–Rats to Enhance Short-Term Memory

AI SummaryThe study explores the interaction between the lysine acetyltransferase PCAF and estrogen receptor alpha (ERĪ±) in the hippocampus of male rats in enhancing short-term memory (STM). The research indicates that PCAF, known for its role in long-term memory (LTM) through epigenetic processes, also influences STM possibly through nongenomic ER activity. The interaction was specific… Continue reading The Lysine Acetyltransferase PCAF Functionally Interacts with Estrogen Receptor Alpha in the Hippocampus of Gonadally Intact Male–But Not Female–Rats to Enhance Short-Term Memory

Cracking and Packing Information about the Features of Expected Rewards in the Orbitofrontal Cortex

AI SummaryThis article discusses how the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) processes information about expected rewards in decision-making scenarios. The study found that OFC neurons in male rats integrate details about reward timing and flavor, firing differentially based on these features. When reward features are correlated, the OFC tends to combine them into single constructs, while when… Continue reading Cracking and Packing Information about the Features of Expected Rewards in the Orbitofrontal Cortex

Association between Inhibitory-Excitatory Balance and Brain Activity Response during Cognitive Flexibility in Young and Older Individuals

AI SummaryThe study focuses on the association between inhibitory-excitatory balance in the left inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and brain activity response during cognitive flexibility in young and older individuals. Results indicate differences in metabolic mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility in the two age groups, with implications for executive functioning and… Continue reading Association between Inhibitory-Excitatory Balance and Brain Activity Response during Cognitive Flexibility in Young and Older Individuals