Introducing the brain: neuron's long functional survival (Introduction)

by David Turell , Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 20:00 (2 hours, 53 minutes ago) @ David Turell

Explained:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-11-brain-resilience-distinct-mechanisms-neuronal.html

'Researchers from the NeuroEngineering Laboratory at the University of Liège have revealed a fascinating brain mechanism: The ability of neurons to maintain reliable functions despite significant variability in their physiological components.

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"Neuroscience has long known that each brain is unique, not only in its connections but also in the molecular composition of its neurons. These include ion channels, membrane proteins responsible for the passage of ions into neurons. However, these channels vary considerably from one individual to another, and even from one neuron to another. Yet this variability does not prevent the brain from functioning reliably.

"This paradox, known as "neuronal degeneration," has intrigued scientists for decades. This concept is different from degeneration in the pathological sense (as in neurodegenerative diseases) and focuses here on an adaptive and robust property of the nervous system.

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"Their dimensional reduction method made it possible to simplify the analysis of a complex system, revealing two distinct mechanisms behind the degeneration.

"Our study shows that these two mechanisms act simultaneously, each having a specific physiological origin and function," explains Arthur Fyon, FNRS researcher in the lab and first author of the article. Together, they ensure reliable modulation of neuronal signals, despite variations in ion channels.

"This discovery also lifts the veil a little further on the principles of neuromodulation, the process by which the brain adjusts its activity in response to internal or external signals. In practice, this deeper understanding makes it possible to define a universal rule for adjusting neuronal modulation, opening up promising prospects for anticipating the effect of neuroactive drugs and for improving computational models in neuroscience."

Comment: neurons are unusual in many ways, again suggesting design. And our brain, compared to others, is quite different. Far more than simple natural evolution should have produced.