Neuron

Illustration of epigenetic changes in mouse brain cells following stress at a young age

Study in mice: Stress at a young age left an epigenetic “scar” in brain cells

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Early stress increased the level of the enzyme SETD7 in dopamine cells in the brain's reward region, leaving genes related to the stress response more available for activation. Blocking the process reduced later stress sensitivity—but still
Gene duplications prolonged the development of brain connections – and may have contributed to human intelligence

Gene duplications prolonged the development of brain connections – and may have contributed to human intelligence

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A study in Neuron found that human-specific copies of SRGAP2 slow and coordinate the maturation of microglia and synapses. The extended developmental window may allow for the formation of more complex neural networks, but the study did not examine
Image from the study shows axons of neurons in the ACA (red) and ORB (green), which innervate the visual cortex and target distinct layers. Credit: Sur Lab/MIT Picower Institute

Your brain rewrites reality according to your state of consciousness.

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Researchers at MIT have discovered that the prefrontal cortex doesn't just send "general commands" to the rest of the brain—it tailors its messages specifically to different areas, depending on arousal level and movement.
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