How does the brain encode new information, like job tasks or song lyrics? Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, have uncovered groundbreaking insights into how learning reorganizes the brain. Their study reveals that neurons follow multiple rules to adapt during learning, offering insights with potential applications in medicine and artificial intelligence.
Learning triggers changes across trillions of synapses, where neurons communicate with each other. This process, known as synaptic plasticity, enables the strengthening and weakening of specific synapses.
Previously, scientists believed that synaptic changes followed a single set of rules; however, the new study reveals that neurons apply different rules across various regions.
Using two-photon imaging to observe individual synapses in mice, researchers discovered that neurons perform distinct computations in parallel. The new images show that neurons follow multiple rules during learning, challenging the earlier belief that they operate under a single set of rules. This challenges traditional views and sheds light on the “credit assignment problem,” where synapses work locally but collectively shape new behaviors, much like ants in a colony.
The findings could advance treatments for disorders like addiction, PTSD, Alzheimer’s, and autism by improving understanding of brain function and dysfunction. In AI, these insights may inspire more sophisticated neural networks by mimicking the brain’s ability to apply multiple rules simultaneously.
“This work is laying a foundation to understand both normal brain function better and what goes wrong in diseases,” said Dr. William “Jake” Wright, the study’s first author.
The research opens new paths for studying how neurons benefit from applying diverse learning rules and what this means for brain health and beyond.
Journal Reference:
- William Wright, Nathan Hedrick, et al. Distinct synaptic plasticity rules operate across dendritic compartments in vivo during learning. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.ads4706
Source: Tech Explorist
