Researchers at Kyushu University have discovered that adolescent brain development involves more than just the traditional process of synaptic pruning.
Using super-resolution microscopy, the team identified previously unknown high-density clusters of synapses, or hotspots, that form specifically during adolescence in the cerebral cortex. This discovery suggests that while the brain is indeed trimming excess connections, it is simultaneously building new, dense neural structures.
* Challenges the singular focus on synaptic pruning during adolescence.
* Identifies specific high-density dendritic spine hotspots in Layer 5 neurons.
* Suggests that impaired formation of these hotspots, rather than just excessive pruning, may contribute to schizophrenia.
* Provides a new perspective on how cortical circuits mature during developmental windows.
Using super-resolution microscopy, the team identified previously unknown high-density clusters of synapses, or hotspots, that form specifically during adolescence in the cerebral cortex. This discovery suggests that while the brain is indeed trimming excess connections, it is simultaneously building new, dense neural structures.
* Challenges the singular focus on synaptic pruning during adolescence.
* Identifies specific high-density dendritic spine hotspots in Layer 5 neurons.
* Suggests that impaired formation of these hotspots, rather than just excessive pruning, may contribute to schizophrenia.
* Provides a new perspective on how cortical circuits mature during developmental windows.
New study identifies three rare gene variants in *MAP1A*, *ANO8*, and *ANK2* that can increase the risk of ADHD by up to 15 times, offering significant insights into the genetic basis of the condition.
An international study led by the University of Leipzig Medical Center has demonstrated that changes in a single gene, GRIN2A, can cause mental illness, challenging previous assumptions about polygenic causes of disorders like schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.
Researchers have found that the total surface area (TSA) of the cerebral cortex is linked to cognitive performance, while mean cortical thickness (MCT) is associated with schizophrenia risk. The study used Mendelian randomization to establish causal relationships between cortical morphology and neuropsychiatric traits.
