#BrainPlasticity

A new study from UC Santa Cruz and UC San Francisco reveals that neurons may be more adaptable than once thought. Published in iScience, the research demonstrates that certain neurons can change their type in response to environmental cues. The findings challenge the long-held belief that neuronal identity is fixed after differentiation. Data from advanced 3D brain models, known as cerebral organoids, underpin this breakthrough and point to transformative possibilities for neurodevelopmental research.

In a pioneering study, researchers from UC Santa Cruz and UC San Francisco have overturned traditional neuroscientific tenets by demonstrating that neurons, the cellular pillars of brain activity, exhibit far greater plasticity than previously acknowledged. Published in the journal iScience, this research unveils the startling ability of certain neurons to transform type in response to their environment, a finding that could revolutionize our understanding of brain functions and neurodevelopmental disorders (Source).

A wave of neuroscience at MIT’s McGovern Institute is reshaping how we understand language learning. Led by a senior scientist, the work maps the brain’s language networks and shows these regions operate largely independently from other tasks such as music or social perception. This helps answer longstanding questions about where language resides in the brain and how these areas develop over time.

The research probes the timing of neural activity in language areas. Distinct neuronal groups appear to process linguistic content at different speeds, revealing layers of complexity in language comprehension. The findings suggest new teaching approaches for early learners and for individuals with atypical neurological development, emphasizing timing and sequence in language instruction.