Brain Cells Show Greater Plasticity Than Previously Believed
By Sherry Phipps
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Recent research from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience reveals that adult brain cells are more adaptable than scientists once thought, challenging long-standing views on neural plasticity. Published in Nature, the study focuses on inhibitory interneurons—cells that regulate brain activity—in adult mice.
For decades, neuroscience held that brain cells lose their ability to form new connections after early development. This study upends that notion, showing that inhibitory interneurons in the adult hippocampus can sprout new extensions, or neurites, to form connections with other neurons. Using advanced imaging, researchers observed these cells forming new synapses in response to learning tasks, such as navigating a maze.
The findings suggest that even in adulthood, the brain can rewire itself to adapt to new experiences or recover from injury. This plasticity could have implications for treating neurological disorders like epilepsy or Alzheimer’s, where interneuron dysfunction plays a role. However, the researchers caution that more studies are needed to understand how this plasticity varies across brain regions and species.
This discovery opens new avenues for exploring how the adult brain learns and adapts, potentially reshaping therapies for brain-related conditions.
