#Plasticity

A major study from the University of Chicago rethinks how memories form, offering fresh insights into neurological conditions like dementia. Published in Nature Neuroscience, the work examines how synaptic plasticity—the brain’s ability to strengthen connections between neurons—works in real life, not just in classic theories. The researchers highlight a shift from traditional Hebbian ideas to Behavioral Timescale Synaptic Plasticity (BTSP), a model that better explains how memory representations change over time.

A small pilot study suggests the brain may tap its own energy reserves during intense endurance efforts. Spanish researchers observed changes in brain white matter among marathon runners, hinting at a form of neuroplasticity that could help preserve function under extreme physical stress.

Researchers conducted MRI scans on ten endurance runners (eight men and two women) before and after a 42-kilometer race. The scans showed a measurable drop in myelin, the fat-rich sheath around nerve fibers that facilitates rapid signaling. The decrease was most evident in brain regions responsible for movement, balance, sensory processing, and emotion. Notably, myelin levels began to recover within 24 to 48 hours after the race and largely returned to baseline within two months for the six participants who had follow-up scans.