Here’s the translation to American English:
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A research team from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute has developed an artificial intelligence tool that allows for a detailed analysis of neuronal diversity and its role in spatial orientation in the brain. This significant advancement, coordinated by Dr. Manuel Valero, was recently published in the prestigious journal Science.
The study involves, in addition to the Hospital del Mar, New York University and the Institute of Neurosciences of Alicante. The researchers focused their work on the electrical activity of neurons in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of mice. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, they have managed to classify over 7,000 neurons based on their response to light, thus uncovering the complementary roles that different families of interneurons play in creating an internal navigation system.
The findings are revealing and indicate that these neuronal families have specific and crucial functions: some are responsible for maintaining the precision of the spatial map, others ensure its stability, while one group allows for adaptation to changes in the environment. Dr. Valero stated that “this line of work is redefining our understanding of the brain. We no longer see it as a ‘tabula rasa,’ but rather as a system that produces actions from circuits shaped by evolution and refined through learning.”
The tool, which is already available for free, promises to revolutionize research in other areas of the brain and offers a more specific approach to understanding diseases such as Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, major depression, and Down syndrome. The researchers are optimistic and believe that the use of this technology will facilitate a better understanding of how neuronal circuits are altered in these conditions, paving the way for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
via: MiMub in Spanish
