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Neuroanatomy

Neurodevelopment's dark side: brain cell cannibalism

Neurodevelopment's dark side: brain cell cannibalism

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are essential for shaping neural circuits by clearing away excess neurons and cellular debris during brain development. Now, new research reveals that microglia not only consume dead or dying neurons but also cannibalize other microglia. This self-devouring cycle results in a form of

How brain networks transform from birth to childhood

How brain networks transform from birth to childhood

The brain's grey matter is involved in higher-order functions like memory, attention, language, and conscious perception. It contains the brain cells and the synapses that process and interpret incoming signals. Networks in the gray matter undergo complex transformations from neonatal age to childhood. The transformation supports the rapid

Unlocking the brain's timekeepers: Clock genes

Unlocking the brain's timekeepers: Clock genes

Our brains are primed to keep track of time with the natural rhythms of the day. That's thanks to our circadian clock. This circadian system doesn’t just dictate our sleep-wake cycles; it controls a variety of behaviors and biological functions, from hormone release to body temperature. The