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    Home > Medical News > Medical World News > The birth of a synaptic map of the brain may explain why aging causes changes in intelligence and behavior.

    The birth of a synaptic map of the brain may explain why aging causes changes in intelligence and behavior.

    • Last Update: 2020-08-03
    • Source: Internet
    • Author: User
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    Today, science, a leading academic journal, presents an important work in the form of a cover paper.
    scientists from the UK, France and Sweden analyzed the molecular and morphological characteristics of 5 billion "exciting synapses" in the brains of mice at a single synaptic resolution! The project's vast research expands our understanding of synapses, and the results are expected to give us a better understanding of how intelligence, memory, behavior, and so on changes can occur at different stages of life.
    photo source: Zhen Qiu, M?lissa Cizeron, and Seth Grant, an op-ed in the University of Edinburgh, science, noting that there are 100 trillion synapses in the neocortex of the human brain, each of which is a complex entity containing thousands of different signaling proteins.
    being able to understand the functions and changes of these different synapses is important for understanding the function of the brain.
    In this study, the scientists used mice as models to set out 10 time nodes (minimum 1 day, maximum 18 months) from birth to middle-aged and middle-aged, and then observed what changes occurred in synapses.
    for observation, the researchers used two structural proteins in synaptic neurons (SAP102 and PSD95) and labeled them fluorescent.
    theory, because the vast majority of central nervous system synapses usually carry these two proteins, they are labeled enough to find the vast majority of synapses.
    based on the expression of these two structural proteins, as well as the molecular and morphological characteristics of synapses, the researchers divided the synapses of mice into three types, 37 subtypes.
    different types and subtypes of synapses, and each has its own preferred place in different areas of the brain.
    different synaptic signal proteins (Photo Source: References) Through analysis, the researchers found that these synapses also change with age, as well as a series of changes.
    the density changes in these synapses vary slightly depending on the development of each brain region.
    , for example, the synaptic density of the brain stem is higher than the brain's, and it peaks earlier.
    this is also consistent with the important role that the brain stem plays in early development.
    as the mice grew older, the synaptic density of most brain regions decreased significantly from 3 months to 18 months.
    to better understand the impact of this change, the researchers focused on the hippocampus, a brain region closely related to learning and memory. Interestingly
    , these two types of proteins used to label synaptic structures changed differently over time (1 week, 3 months, 18 months - PSD95 changes were more pronounced, while SAP 102 levels were more stable.
    this also suggests that synapses in this area do change as they get older.
    this may affect the activity and function of nerve activity.
    synapses in the hippocampus change with age (Picture source: References) The researchers conclude the paper by pointing out that this "census" of synapses helps us study synaptic changes and corresponding behavioral changes at different times and places of brain development.
    also bring important research tools for brain development, aging, and brain diseases.
    References: 1? (2020), A brainwide atlas of synapses of the across the mouse life span, Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.aba3163. Kristina D. Micheva et al., (2020), A synapse census for the ages, science, DOI: 10.1126/science.
    This article is an English version of an article which is originally in the Chinese language on echemi.com and is provided for information purposes only. This website makes no representation or warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness ownership or reliability of the article or any translations thereof. If you have any concerns or complaints relating to the article, please send an email, providing a detailed description of the concern or complaint, to service@echemi.com. A staff member will contact you within 5 working days. Once verified, infringing content will be removed immediately.

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