Brain cells as traffic controllers

A groundbreaking study led by Dr Marco Bocchio in our Department of Psychology reveals how specific brain cells called interneurons can act as our in-built traffic controllers.

The research opens up potential future treatments for neurological disorders by understanding how these brain cells communicate.

Until now, it was unclear how individual interneurons contribute to larger patterns of brain activity.

Neurological conditions

Interneurons work a bit like the brain’s traffic controllers where they regulate the firing of other brain cells, acting like a sophisticated brake system.

This control is critical because when interneurons behave differently, it can contribute to neurological conditions like epilepsy, autism, and schizophrenia.

Brain activity

The team studied interneurons in mice and looked at a brain region crucial for learning and memory within the hippocampus. They used advanced brain imaging and light-activated cell techniques.

During quiet, restful periods, they found that activating a single interneuron triggered a coordinated response across other brain cells - a short burst of synchronized brain activity. This happened without disturbing the existing organisation of the brain cells.

Activating a single interneuron weakened the brain’s "stop" signals which then allowed groups of brain cells to fire together.

Treating disorders

These synchronized brain cell activities might help with forming new memories or processing past experiences.

This discovery offers valuable insights into how our brain is organised and suggests that targeting interneurons could one day help treat disorders linked to pathological brain rhythms.

• The study was conducted with colleagues at INSERM, Sorbonne University, Aix-Marseille University, and Imperial College London.


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