Revolutionary Insights into Brain Communication!

What happens in our brains when we reminisce or face something unfamiliar? Surprisingly, the pathways we use aren’t fixed; they dynamically shift based on context!

A groundbreaking international study led by Claudio Mirasso from the Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Physics and Complex Systems (IFISC) and Santiago Canals from the Institute for Neurosciences (IN) has uncovered how our brains switch communication routes. This research highlights the brain's flexibility to adapt, modulating the balance between two essential inhibitory circuits.

How Does It Work?

Published in PLoS Computational Biology, the study reveals that the brain’s ability to select different information sources—whether sensory inputs from the surrounding world or memories—hinges on the regulation of slow (theta) and fast (gamma) brain rhythms.

To draw these conclusions, researchers blended computational models with experimental recordings from the hippocampus, a critical region for memory and spatial navigation.

They found that in familiar settings, neurons prefer a direct communication route, enhancing information flow from the entorhinal cortex to the hippocampus—this ensures established memories take precedence. Conversely, when encountering novelty, the brain activates a mode that intertwines memory recall with incoming sensory data, emphasizing memory updates.

Revisiting Old Assumptions!

Previously, scientists believed that slow brain rhythms solely dictated the amplitude of faster brain activity. However, this study reveals a fascinating bidirectional relationship!

Dimitrios Chalkiadakis, the study's lead author, explains, "Our research offers a mechanistic understanding of how the brain shifts its communication channels based on context. The balance between various forms of inhibition determines which inputs to prioritize—whether those linked to memories or new sensory experiences."

A Flexible Brain