#NeurologicalDisorders

Human understanding of how the brain creates, stores, and retrieves memories may be on the verge of a radical transformation, as cutting-edge research from a team at Trinity College Dublin has upended decades-old theories about memory. Led by a leading neuroscientist at the college’s Institute of Neuroscience, this fresh research shows that memories are not locked away in single neurons as previously thought, but rather stored via complex interactions between groups of special neurons known as “engram cells.” The implications for neurological disorders, learning, and even the way we regulate our bodies are profound.

Scientists have taken a major leap forward in brain research, unveiling an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can identify the neuron types in the cerebellum—one of the brain’s most mysterious regions. This innovation, detailed in a new Cell journal study, promises to transform our understanding of brain function and could pave the way for novel treatments for neurological disorders like tremor, imbalance, and speech impairment (MedicalXpress, 2025).

Why does this matter for Thai readers? The cerebellum, known in Thai as ซีรีเบลลัม, is crucial for skills as fundamental as walking, talking, and even balancing on a ผ้าไหม (silk mat) during traditional dance. Yet, despite being studied for decades, neuroscientists have struggled to interpret the ‘conversations’ between neurons within the cerebellum. Researchers could listen to the electrical signals sent between brain cells but could not reliably determine which type of neuron was communicating—a bit like overhearing conversations in many languages and not knowing who is speaking which language.

A recent breakthrough by international researchers has led to the development of an ultra-small brain sensor capable of achieving up to 96% accuracy in monitoring neural activity—a leap that could dramatically change the way neurological conditions are diagnosed and treated. The new device, as detailed in ExtremeTech’s report, promises minimally invasive, high-precision monitoring that could one day be seen in Thai medical centers and research institutions.

For Thailand, a nation with a rapidly aging population and increasing cases of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke, this innovation is of keen interest. Presently, neurological disorders impose a substantial burden on Thai families and the healthcare system, where early detection and continuous monitoring are heavily dependent on costly, infrequent, and often physically taxing procedures. The prospect of ultra-miniaturized, highly accurate sensors opens up the potential for safer, more comfortable, and more frequent brain monitoring, possibly even from home.

In a significant leap toward understanding brain communication, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have harnessed cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to reveal how glutamate, a key neurotransmitter, activates brain channels. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of neural communication processes but also paves the way for novel treatments for neurological conditions like epilepsy and specific intellectual disabilities source.

The ability of our brains to engage with the environment and learn is fundamentally dependent on the chemical interplay between neurons. At the heart of this communication network is glutamate, a neurotransmitter that binds to AMPA receptors, triggering electrical signals that pass through neurons like messages along a bustling Thai street during rush hour. This study, spearheaded by Johns Hopkins researchers in collaboration with UTHealth Houston scientists, was recently published in the esteemed journal Nature.