Angie Voyles Askham, Spectrum | Feb 17, 2022 | 4 min read
A study shows that a molecule produced by intestinal microbes can enter the brain and that its presence is also associated with altered brain connectivity.
A pool of neural stem cells that ordinarily lies dormant in the brains of adult mice spawns two types of never-before-documented glial cells when artificially reactivated, potentially pointing to a novel mechanism of brain plasticity.
Glial cells were once considered neurons’ supporting actors, but new methods and model organisms are revealing their true importance in brain function.
Visualizing neuronal connections is highly important for understanding brain organization and pathophysiology. However, this data has historically been obtained through invasive and often terminal procedures. Technological advances have permitted the development of a new era of neuroanatomical tracing techniques.