literal windows into the brain
Dec. 19th, 2002 12:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
novapsycheScientists Study Brain Changes Over Time
Scientists have found a way to track tiny features of individual brain cells in living mice, providing a glimpse at how brains change over time. In one case, they watched the animals' brains rewire after their whiskers were clipped.
The technique will help scientists explore how the brain forms memories and reacts physically to its owner's experiences.
Brain cells called neurons signal each other across tiny gaps, called synapses. The signals are received by tiny spines. Researchers in both studies followed the growth and destruction of the spines over time.
The researchers tracked the spines, which measure less than one twentieth the width of a human hair, using specially bred mice that carry a gene which makes some of their neurons glow. They used laser and electron microscopes to peek through windows implanted in the mouse skulls, or through skull bones thinned with a drill.
In one study, the researchers clipped the highly sensitive whiskers of mice and watched changes in the part of the brain that receives signals from the whiskers. Two to four days after clipping, the number of spines created or lost in that area increased significantly, indicating new synapses were being created and others destroyed, the researchers reported.
Scientists have found a way to track tiny features of individual brain cells in living mice, providing a glimpse at how brains change over time. In one case, they watched the animals' brains rewire after their whiskers were clipped.
The technique will help scientists explore how the brain forms memories and reacts physically to its owner's experiences.
Brain cells called neurons signal each other across tiny gaps, called synapses. The signals are received by tiny spines. Researchers in both studies followed the growth and destruction of the spines over time.
The researchers tracked the spines, which measure less than one twentieth the width of a human hair, using specially bred mice that carry a gene which makes some of their neurons glow. They used laser and electron microscopes to peek through windows implanted in the mouse skulls, or through skull bones thinned with a drill.
In one study, the researchers clipped the highly sensitive whiskers of mice and watched changes in the part of the brain that receives signals from the whiskers. Two to four days after clipping, the number of spines created or lost in that area increased significantly, indicating new synapses were being created and others destroyed, the researchers reported.
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(no subject)
Date: 2002-12-19 01:26 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2002-12-19 09:13 am (UTC)Not to be morbid or anything. :)
Re:
Date: 2002-12-20 12:59 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2002-12-23 07:12 pm (UTC)I think the only photos taken of me since my haircut have been Polaroids.
I think I look like the average black woman with short hair.
Re:
Date: 2002-12-24 12:20 am (UTC)How many boobs do you have?
I hope your holidays go well!