Neuroscientists Engineer Mice That Make Better Decisions
Adding newborn brain cells to an aging brain can improve memory and decision-making, according to a new study. Adult mice with newborn neurons in the hippocampus, which governs memory and learning, were better able to distinguish between similar events and make better-informed choices. Combined with exercise over a period of time, adding new neurons even had anti-depressant effects, the study says. Researchers at Columbia University engineered mice to produce a surplus of new neurons in the hippocampus. They found the mice were superb at learning to discriminate between experiences, which typically gets harder with age and with some anxiety disorders. Specifically, the mice were better able to differentiate between a chamber where they got a foot shock and a similar-looking chamber where they were safe. Related ArticlesUsing Stem Cells, Scientists Re-Create Memory Neurons That Succumb to Alzheimer'sDigital Rat Brain Spontaneously Develops Organized Neuron Patterns Magnetic Nanoparticles Can Be Used to Charge Neurons...