Our brains change as we learn. But how exactly does a cluster of neurons change their activity or connections? It seems the phenomenon is due, at least in part, to neurons starting to fire in sync, according to a recent … Continue reading
Journal Club
Highlighting recently published papers selected by Academy members
Tag Archives: neurons
Journal Club: Neurons fire in sync, helping elucidate the biological basis of learning
Categories: Cell Biology | Journal Club | Neuroscience
Tagged learning, maze, memory, neurons, plasticity, prefrontal cortex, rat
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Journal Club: Microglial protein trafficking could play a role in neurodegenerative disorders
Neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Parkinson’s are associated with a build-up of insoluble, toxic forms of proteins such as amyloid or tau in the brain. Normally, intracellular protein complexes known as retromers help with recycling and trafficking … Continue reading
Journal Club: Fruit flies’ internal circadian clocks continually check the temperature
As a fruit fly sails from sunshine into a patch of shade, its temperature drops by 10 degrees F or so. Immediately, certain neurons in its brain spring into action, telling the fly’s circadian clock about the temperature change. By … Continue reading
Categories: Biochemistry | Genetics | Journal Club | Neuroscience
Tagged chronobiology, circadian rhythms, drosophila, fruit fly, neurons, sleep-wake cycle, temperature
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Journal Club: Illuminating the neurons that help fruit fly larvae escape danger
Disturb fruit fly larvae with sharp jabs or intense heat and they’ll respond the same way every time. “They always roll two or three times, and then stop rolling and land away from the noxious thing,” says neuroscientist Kazuo Emoto … Continue reading
Categories: Animal Behavior | Journal Club | Neuroscience
Tagged drosophila, fruit flies, neural circuit, neurons, optogenetics, reflex
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Journal Club: Tracking memories in fruit fly brains
Memories help animals make predictions. A honeybee may remember that the smell of orange blossoms means nectar is nearby. But sometimes memories require updating. “If you know that your fridge is a good source of food, and you go to … Continue reading
Categories: Animal Behavior | Journal Club | Neuroscience | Psychological and Cognitive Sciences
Tagged drosophila, memory, neurons, PTSD
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Journal Club: Food first—Safety, friends, and water can come later
Suppose you’re hungry, but also cold. Your dog is barking at someone at the door, and you see your spouse heading toward the fridge—you wonder if he will take the last of the leftover pizza. With many competing factors vying … Continue reading
Journal Club: “Sandman” molecule controls when fruit flies wake up
Sleep cuts people off from the outside world, which entails considerable risks and costs that scientists reason must be counterbalanced by a vital but enigmatic benefit. Now scientists have discovered what makes a switch flip in the brains of fruit … Continue reading
Categories: Journal Club | Neuroscience
Tagged circadian, dopamine, fruit flies, homeostat, neurons, optogenetics, sleep
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Journal Club: Experimental technique uncovers new cell types in the brain
The brain is the most complex organ in the body, and presents countless mysteries – including the very nature of all the cells contribute to its function. By using single-cell RNA sequencing to map the genetic activity in more than … Continue reading
Categories: Cell Biology | Journal Club | Neuroscience
Tagged brain, cell types, neurons, RNA sequencing
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