'Zombie neurons' shed light on how the brain learns

Originally published by Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown on April 2, 2024

 

Climbing fibers, in the form of ivy, wrap around the branches of a Purkinje cell-shaped tree, within the vibrant courtyard of a school populated by mice. The illustration captures the essential role of climbing fibers as teaching signals for associative cerebellar learning. Credit: Rita Felix

Nestled at the back of your head, the cerebellum is a brain structure that plays a pivotal role in how we learn, adapting our actions based on past experiences. Yet the precise ways in which this learning happens are still being defined.

A study led by a team at the Champalimaud Foundation brings new clarity to this debate, with a serendipitous finding of so-called "zombie neurons." These neurons, alive but functionally altered, have helped to advance our understanding of the cerebellum's critical teaching signals.

The word "cerebellum" means "little brain," despite the fact that it holds more than half the brain's neurons. It is essential for coordinating movements and balance, helping you perform everyday tasks smoothly, like walking down a crowded street, or playing sports. It is also crucial for the learning process that allows you to associate sensory cues with specific actions.

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