The scientists were able to reprogram the neural network of the brain
Source:
So popular in recent years neural networks are essentially a copy of the eponymous structures of the brain. And if the "machine" of a neural network can be programmed, why not try to do the same with our brain? That is, only on a smaller scale, according to an article published in the journal Science, and was able to do a group of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of technology (MIT).
Researchers have reprogrammed neurons in the primary visual cortex from awake rodents. For starters, the neuron of the brain was introduced gene of the fluorescent protein GCaMP6, which begins to glow by passing through it an electric pulse. He served as a kind of indicator of what is happening with the cell.
After 5 days after the manipulation, the mice showed a gray screen with a white square appearing for one second in random places. While at certain points the white square has been on point, which was for the "field of view" of the investigated neuron, but it fell into the "sight" of the neighboring cells. As a result, the neuron with GCaMP6 was an increase in the size of dendritic processes, which form synaptic connections. It was a drop in the number of synaptic connections from cells that did not participate in the formation of the visual signal. Thus, scientists have been using light exposure to change the properties of cells and the specific area of the neural network.
"the Neural network of the brain can change in response to specific signals, but continue to remain stable. At the moment when the neuron is an electric pulse, amplified or weakened its connections with other nerve cells. This process is the basis of neuroplasticity, a property of the brain to change under certain conditions, and even to restore the lost connection."
Recommended
The coronavirus has mutated into 30 new strains
While coronavirus Apocalypse slowly but inevitably becomes routine, the virus SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. And, unfortunately, he was good at it. Writes , with reference to the South China Morning Post reports that new studies show that the virus ...
In the United States recognized that the ventilator dies 88% of patients with coronavirus
When the world is raging coronavirus that causes pneumonia and kills people, the only solution is intensive care. If this is not done, the victims will be very much. Today for severe patients there is only one solution — connected to the appara...
Can a transfusion of blood plasma to cure the coronavirus?
Typically, vaccination involves the introduction into the organism of the weakened or killed microorganisms (viruses) designed to create a strong immunity to possible future infectious diseases — that is, for selection of antibodies. But what i...
Related News
The virus stopped the spread of brain tumor
There are some tumors, which, unfortunately, are very poorly amenable to treatment, so they require a different approach. One of the options are modified viruses that do not cause harm to humans, but affect the tumor. This is what...
Designed an artificial ankle that adapts to irregular surfaces
Over the past few decades the technology of prosthetic limbs have progressed significantly, going from the category of wooden stumps in the high-tech works of art. Dentures can be bionic, controlled directly by the brain and also ...
Scientists from the US have created the first pill against diabetes
diabetes mellitus is currently almost impossible to cure. But this disease lends itself well to substitution insulin therapy. The injections should be done regularly and is not always convenient. But a group of doctors from Califo...
Scientists from the United States first created the pill against diabetes
diabetes mellitus is currently almost impossible to cure. But this disease lends itself well to substitution insulin therapy. The injections should be done regularly and is not always convenient. But a group of doctors from Califo...
How do modern technologies help cancer patients and medicine in General
One of the most promising industries for the application of modern technologies is healthcare. Major technology companies are now working on the conquest this market. Will tell you about how their products help patients today, and...
Scientists have reconstructed the spinal cord with stem cells
Stem cells are increasingly used in the development of new treatment methods. For example, according to the editors of the portal Neurosciencenews, a group of researchers from Monash University in Australia were able to restore ne...
Found a way to avoid metastases of particularly dangerous types of cancer
no matter How far stepped modern medicine, still remain diseases that are poorly treatable. Therefore, fighting them out in the first place. One of these horrible diseases is cancer. And recently a group of scientists from the Uni...
Myths about technology and dependence
nowadays, as never before, actively discussing the possible dependence of people on technology. Technology companies have even been forced to incorporate into their software products, the special counters and limiters that would f...
Gene therapy helped to cure paralysis of the limbs
the Diagnosis of "paralysis of limbs" very often for a person that sounds like a death sentence. After all, when a particular damage nerve fibers to restore mobility or sensitivity. However, in the future things could change, beca...
Scientists have turned the male mouse in the female, using "junk" DNA
Despite the rapid development of medicine, many things about the human body we still don't know. For example, of biology course it is known that the two X chromosomes in the genome of the embryo will bring the girl, while one X an...
Antibiotics have side-effects. But can they be replaced by something?
it is Difficult to deny the fact that antibiotics are extremely effective in the treatment of mass diseases some two hundred years ago was considered practically incurable. However, these drugs have many side effects, affecting vi...
Created artificial blood, capable of 48 hours to replace the real
the Man could survive for several days if deprived of food or even water, but when serious blood loss, the account goes on hours and minutes, and krovezamenauschie solutions can not always help, because most of them only restores ...
Created artificial bone marrow that can work not worse the present
One of the most important organs of our immune system is the bone marrow, and biodiversity loss owing to various reasons inevitably leads to the death of a person. However, a team of scientists from Basel University (Switzerland) ...
Russian scientists have created a substance that can fight hunger
one can Hardly find a person who never experienced hunger. However, according to numerous studies, most of us, even without noticing, regularly go hungry and not pay attention to it. This is the so-called hidden hunger. According ...
Developed a vaccine that protects against 30% of HIV strains
In the world for many years is to develop a cure for HIV. But despite enormous efforts, a miracle cure could not be obtained so far. However, things can change thanks to the work of American virologists from the National Institute...
A new mechanism of harmful influence of nicotine on the brain
the influence of nicotine on our nervous system and health in General, said a lot, but recently a group of scientists from Medical school at northwestern University Feinberg (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine) wa...
The secret of longevity is hidden in the microflora and the gut
We are what we eat. In any case, so says the proverb. Scientists say we are eating the bacteria living in our intestines. They also determine how we live. Based on this, researchers at McGill University fed fruit flies of differen...
For the first time created artificial human cornea
the Human eye is one of the most complex organs of the human body. And the loss of any structural unit of the eye can be a serious problem, which will lead to deterioration and even loss of vision. But a team of scientists from Ne...
Algae will help people to get rid of the blindness
to Lose (or not have since birth) able to see very similar in life and sheer torture. After all, the man is deprived of one of the most important senses. Because scientists very long lead research to help people recover lost visio...
The world's first cure for migraines was approved — and it is expensive
the FDA approved the first drug specifically designed to prevent migraines. And while the drug may signal a new wave of effective treatments for this debilitating condition — which often, moreover, ignored the question is how much...
Comments (0)
This article has no comment, be the first!