Tag

Neurons

All articles tagged with #neurons

science2 days ago•6 min saved

Single Neurons as Deep Learners: Dendrites Endow Human Cognition

New research shows that human cortical neurons are exceptionally powerful computing units, thanks to dense, branching dendritic trees and unique electrical properties. Using AI to mimic a single neuron’s input-output behavior, scientists found its processing depth rivals a deep neural network, challenging the view that intelligence scales mainly with brain size. The work introduces a Functional Complexity Index to quantify neuronal computation and offers a blueprint for brain-inspired AI built from intrinsically deep biological units.

via Neuroscience News|

#cognition #dendrites #neuromorphic-ai

science11 days ago•6 min saved

Ancient Brain Circuit Acts as an Attention Switch, Potential ADHD Clue

Johns Hopkins researchers identified an evolutionarily ancient cluster of inhibitory neurons (the PLTi) in mice that act as an attention switch by modulating the midbrain’s superior colliculus. Silencing these neurons makes mice hyper-distractible, while reactivating them restores focus, suggesting a conserved mechanism for selective spatial attention that could inform human ADHD research, though further studies are needed.

via ScienceAlert|

#adhd #neurons #plti

neuroscience24 days ago•5 min saved

Brain cells map the building blocks of speech

A Nature study used temporarily implanted brain electrodes in epilepsy patients to observe real-time single-neuron activity in the frontotemporal cortex as people spoke. It found specialized neurons that encode parts of speech and semantics or syntax, with many neurons firing just before specific components (e.g., nouns) are spoken. The left hemisphere showed greater involvement, and the researchers noted that both brain activity and large-language models track the sentence context up to about five preceding words to shape the next word—supporting a modular view of language built from neuronal building blocks.

via Nature|

#frontotemporal-cortex #language #neurons

neuroscience29 days ago•9 min saved

Histamine Brain Rhythms Gate Real-Time Memory Access

A Nagoya City University study shows slow, spontaneous fluctuations in histamine neurons bias moment-to-moment memory accessibility in mice: higher histamine activity before a cue improves memory-guided responses, while lower activity reduces them. Using real-time cues and optogenetics, researchers confirm a priming-state mechanism that prepares memory circuits, with the basolateral amygdala acting downstream, suggesting memory lapses can arise from brain state rather than memory decay.

via News-Medical|

#histamine #memory #neurons

science1 month ago•8 min saved

Hidden Peach-Fuzz Itch Pathway Revealed in Mice

University of Michigan researchers identify a dedicated population of touch-sensitive neurons that innervate fine vellus-like hairs (peach fuzz) and transmit mechanical itch in a mouse model of chronic skin inflammation. Removing or silencing these neurons markedly reduces scratching, and activating them with blue light reproduces itch behavior, confirming causality. The study also maps transmission proteins linking hairs to the spinal cord, with human neurons responding to the same proteins, suggesting a conserved mechanism and a potential new therapeutic target for persistent itch in eczema and related conditions.

via Neuroscience News|

#eczema #itch-sensation #mechanical-itch

science2 months ago•5 min saved

Sex-Specific Gene Activity Mapped Across Brain Cells

A single-cell analysis of over a million brain cells from six cortical regions in 30 people found subtle but widespread sex differences in gene activity, with more than 100 genes showing consistent sex-related expression patterns. Sex accounts for less than 1% of overall gene-expression variation, but these molecular signatures could help explain why risks for conditions like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's differ by sex and how hormonal environments might modulate brain biology across life.

via Nature|

#brain #cortex #gene-expression

science3 months ago•6 min saved

New Neuronal IDOL Target Could Cut Alzheimer's Plaque Burden

Researchers at Indiana University identified neuronal IDOL as a new drug target for Alzheimer’s, showing that reducing IDOL activity in brain neurons lowers amyloid plaques and APOE levels, while boosting receptors that regulate APOE and amyloid. The neuron-focused approach produced stronger effects than targeting microglia, suggesting a potential multi-benefit therapy. Next steps include preclinical safety testing and evaluating whether IDOL blockade preserves synapses and reduces tau pathology.

via SciTechDaily|

#alzheimers-disease #amyloid-plaques #apoe

health-and-medicine4 months ago•6 min saved

AI reveals causal gene networks fueling Alzheimer's progression

A new AI-based system called SIGNET maps causal gene regulatory networks across six brain cell types in Alzheimer's brains, revealing extensive gene rewiring—especially in excitatory neurons—and identifying hub genes that could serve as early diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets.

via ScienceDaily|

#alzheimers-disease #gene-regulation #health-and-medicine

neuroscience6 months ago•10 min saved

Memory's Dual Libraries: Distinct Neuron Groups Encode Content and Context

A Bonn-led study finds that the human brain stores memory content and its context in separate neuron populations—content neurons fire for specific items, context neurons for the task or situation—whose coordinated interactions enable flexible recall through pattern completion.

via SciTechDaily|

#context #hippocampus #memory

science6 months ago•3 min saved

Reversing Anxiety in Mice by Repairing a Brain Circuit

Researchers discovered that rebalancing activity in a specific amygdala circuit in mice can reverse anxiety and social withdrawal, highlighting a potential target for mental health treatments.

via SciTechDaily|

#amygdala #anxiety #brain-circuits

health8 months ago•6 min saved

Chronic Stress Impairs Brain Blood Flow and Raises Dementia Risk

Researchers at Penn State discovered that stress-sensitive type-one nNOS neurons regulate brain blood flow and neural activity; their loss due to chronic stress may contribute to brain health decline and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, highlighting a new environmental risk factor.

via Neuroscience News|

#brain-blood-flow #dementia #health

health8 months ago•5 min saved

Schizophrenia Associated with Unique Neuron Morphology

A study found that individuals with schizophrenia have smaller and differently shaped neurons in the brain's anterior cingulate cortex, with neuron size correlating to hallucination severity, suggesting potential biological markers and targets for future treatments.

via PsyPost|

#anterior-cingulate-cortex #brain-cells #health

science8 months ago•2 min saved

New Brain Rebalancing Technique Reverses Anxiety and Depression in Mice

Scientists at the Institute for Neurosciences have discovered that restoring balance to specific neurons in the amygdala can reverse anxiety and social withdrawal behaviors in mice, opening new possibilities for targeted treatments of affective disorders.

via ScienceDaily|

#amygdala #anxiety #brain

science8 months ago•2 min saved

Scientists Discover New Neural Connection

Scientists have discovered a new type of connection between neurons called dendritic nanotubes, which can transport molecules like calcium and amyloid-beta, potentially playing a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. This discovery was made using advanced imaging techniques and could lead to new insights into brain function and disease progression.

via ScienceAlert|

#alzheimers #brain #nanotubes

science9 months ago•3 min saved

Scientists Discover Potential Off Switch for Chronic Pain

Scientists have discovered a specific group of neurons in the brainstem that are active in chronic pain and produce a molecule called neuropeptide Y (NPY) that acts as a natural painkiller, opening potential pathways for new pain treatments.

via AOL.com|

#brainstem #chronic-pain #neurons