On to molecular mechanisms

Article Abstract:

The discovery of three NMDA receptor subunits will allow better comprehension of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the NMDA receptors' many functions. Research groups in Germany and Japan successfully the new NMDA receptor subunits; these glutamate receptors are essential to the brain's most abundant synapses. Moreover, the NMDA receptors have five important neurological roles: initiating long-term potentiation; helping to produce excitotoxicity; producing psychotic-like symptoms when blocked by drugs; influencing brain development; and in enabling the brain to make computations.

Brain chemistry, Molecular neurobiology, Methyl aspartate, N-methyl-D-aspartate

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Theories on the brain

Article Abstract:

Four theoretical approaches were advanced at a Dec 1992 conference on neuronal theories of the brain as well as experimental results which pose numerous questions for further research. Theories were proposed which involved artificial neural networks, the relation of neural architecture to task performance, unifying principles of brain activity and mathematical models of brain activity. Experimental results included observation of 30 distinct areas of the brain devoted to visual activity. Why these are necessary and how their functions differ remain open questions.

Conferences, meetings and seminars, Neurobiology, Neurophysiology

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Strengths and weaknesses in memory

Article Abstract:

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) modify synaptic strengths in the brain and make them stronger or weaker. LTP lasts for days or weeks and its repeated use makes the synapse stronger. LTD is considered as the inverse of LTP. The inflow of calcium ions through the glutamate activated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor channel in the postsynaptic membrane regulates both LTP and LTD. Experiments conducted on rats indicate that synapses favor LTP with little past use and LTD with a lot of past use.

Memory, Ion channels, Neural transmission, Synapses, Neural transmission regulation

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