The brain learns new information by changing its connections. When someone learns something new, some synapses get stronger, while others weaken. This process, called synaptic plasticity, adjusts how neurons share information. Scientists study synaptic plasticity to understand how the brain stores new knowledge. However, they did not know the rules that decide which synapses change during learning. This gap in knowledge made it hard to explain how the brain captures new information.
Researchers at the UC San Diego have explored this. They used advanced tools like two-photon imaging, a method to see brain activity clearly. They watched synapses and neurons in mice as the mice learned new tasks. Their study, published in Science, showed surprising results. Scientists once thought all neurons followed one rule during learning. Instead, the researchers found that individual neurons use multiple rules. Different synapses on the same neuron follow different patterns, depending on their location.
New Insights into Brain Function
This discovery changes how scientists view learning. Neurons work like ants, handling local tasks without knowing the bigger goal. This creates a challenge called the credit assignment problem, where it’s unclear how small changes lead to complex behaviors. The study suggests neurons solve this by using varied rules at once. This flexibility helps the brain adapt efficiently. The findings could improve artificial intelligence (AI). Current AI uses uniform rules, but varied rules might make AI smarter. The research also offers hope for treating brain disorders. Conditions like Alzheimer’s, addiction, or autism involve faulty synapses. Understanding how synapses change could lead to new treatments.
The researchers plan to study why neurons use multiple rules and how this benefits learning. Their work provides a foundation for exploring how the brain works. It also highlights the potential to address diseases caused by synapse problems. By revealing the brain’s complex learning process, this study opens doors to future discoveries in health and technology.
