Tag

Synaptic Pruning

All articles tagged with #synaptic pruning

science10 days ago•12 min saved

Peripheral Neutrophils Forge C4A Link to Schizophrenia

Stanford researchers find neutrophils actively produce C4A, a key schizophrenia risk protein, and in patients these cells pump out more C4A while rapid activation (C4-ana) occurs in plasma. The work links a peripheral immune process to brain synaptic pruning linked to schizophrenia, suggesting blood-based diagnostics and therapies that target the periphery rather than the brain. Clozapine’s neutrophil-depleting effects highlight the need for safer, targeted treatments.

via Neuroscience News|

#c4a #complement-system #neutrophils

science23 days ago•91 min saved

Birth of memory: the brain’s early overconnectivity prunes into precise recall

A Nature Communications study in mice shows the hippocampal CA3 region is densely wired shortly after birth and undergoes rapid pruning into sparser, more structured networks by adolescence, suggesting early memories may be vague or prenatal wiring—not a blank slate—and that infancy benefits from preexisting, cross-modal wiring that becomes more selective with age.

via Live Science|

#brain-development #hippocampus #memory

science1 month ago•4 min saved

Adolescent Brain Builds Dense Synaptic Hotspots, Challenging Pruning Theory

Kyushu University researchers using super-resolution mapping found that adolescence features a dense hotspot of synapses forming along the apical dendrite of Layer 5 neurons, not just widespread pruning; this selective synapse formation emerges between three and eight weeks in mice and depends on intact synapse-building processes, with mutations in schizophrenia-linked genes Setd1a, Hivep2, and Grin1 impairing hotspot formation. The findings, reported in Science Advances, suggest the pruning-centric view of adolescence is incomplete and future work will identify brain regions where these connections form and whether similar mechanisms occur in humans.

via SciTechDaily|

#adolescence #dendritic-spines #schizophrenia

science4 months ago•24 min saved

Tiny brain immune cells scrub early memories, revealing why babies forget their first years

New research suggests infantile amnesia isn’t a glitch but a feature: microglia, the brain’s immune cells, prune developing synapses and erase early memories. In infant mice, inhibiting microglial activity with minocycline prevented forgetting of a fear memory, eight days after learning, while memory engrams remained detectable, indicating the memories were stored but typically scrubbed during development.

via ZME Science|

#engrams #infantile-amnesia #memory

health2 years ago•6 min saved

Unraveling the Mystery of COVID-19's Brain Fog: Scientists Make Breakthrough Discovery

Scientists have discovered that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread in neurons in the brain and accelerate the destruction of synapses, which are essential for communication between neurons. This may explain the neural and behavioral problems experienced by COVID-19 patients, including brain fog. Brain organoids, grown in the lab, have been used to study the effects of the virus on brain tissue. The excessive elimination of synapses observed in these organoids after infection may lead to memory loss and sluggish brain functions. Additionally, studies have shown that COVID-19 can cause brain shrinkage and activate hyperactive microglia, which may contribute to the increased risk of developing neurological or psychiatric conditions. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of COVID-19 on the brain.

via National Geographic|

#brain-fog #brain-organoids #covid-19

neuroscience3 years ago•5 min saved

Uncovering the Competitive Nature of Synaptic Pruning in Brain Development.

Researchers at Kyushu University have uncovered the mechanisms of synaptic pruning in brain development, using mouse mitral cells, a neuron type in the olfactory system. The study reveals that neurons receiving a neurotransmitter signal are protected via specific chemical pathways while other dendrites in the same cell are triggered to undergo pruning. The neurotransmitter glutamate is crucial in synaptic pruning. Understanding this process could help in comprehending neurophysiological disorders like schizophrenia and autism.

via Neuroscience News|

#brain-development #glutamate #mitral-cells

science3 years ago•6 min saved

The Brain's Remarkable Development During Adolescence.

Adolescence is a time of rapid brain development, which scientists call "breathtaking." The adolescent brain seeks out new experiences, even if it means risking a broken arm or a broken heart. Adolescent brain changes tend to start earlier in girls than in boys. Adolescent brains produce more dopamine and are more sensitive to the chemical than adult brains, which encourages risk-taking. The brain's vulnerability during adolescence is probably one reason so many adult smokers picked up the habit as teens.

via NPR|

#adolescent-brain-development #dopamine #risk-taking