The brain triggers rapid adaptations in liver mitochondria upon the sight and smell of food What happens in the body when we are hungry and see and smell food? A team of researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research has now been able to show in mice that adaptations in the liver mitochondria take place after only a few minutes. Stimulated by the activation of a group of nerve cells in the brain, the mitochondria of the liver cells change and prepare the liver for the adaptation of the sugar metabolism. The findings, published in the journal Science, could open up new avenues ..read more

Norbert Wiener – the man who established the field of cybernetics – also laid the groundwork for today’s prosperity of Artificial Intelligence Born on November 26, 1894, Wiener was a child prodigy. He graduated from high school at age 11 and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at 14 years old from what is now Tufts University in Massachusetts. At 18, Wiener received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in mathematical logic. After stints as a teacher, writer for an encyclopedia, and apprentice engineer, among other things, Wiener was hired in 1919 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technolog ..read more

Study proves connection Researchers investigated how stress hormones affect the early development of brain cells in the cerebral cortex of fetus. The cortex is the crucial area of the brain for thinking. A team at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry was able to demonstrate causal links between stress hormones and altered brain structure which relate to higher level of educational attainment later in life. The hormone group of glucocorticoids is crucial for the regulation of our metabolism and immune response, but also for the development of organs such as the brain and lungs before birth. T ..read more

Epigenetic changes on stress gene are similar in mice and humans The FKBP5 gene is associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders. Not only the gene itself, but also epigenetic changes are possible biomarkers for the long-term consequences of stress. The underlying mechanisms in the brain cannot yet be determined in humans. Previous research suggests that the mouse is a suitable model organism for investigating the influences of genetics, the environment and their interaction in brain tissue. However, humans and mice are only similar to a certain extent, which is particularly relevant in ..read more

Connection between pupil reaction and listlessness proven Our researchers found a clear link between pupil response and loss of pleasure. This discovery contributes to a better understanding of the physiological mechanisms behind depression. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry measured the pupillary reaction of participants while they were solving a task. In healthy participants, the pupils dilated during the task in anticipation of a reward, but this reaction was less pronounced in participants with depression: “The reduced pupil reaction was particularly noticeable in pati ..read more

Cephalopod camouflage is one of the most fascinating behaviors in the animal kingdom and is of great importance to neuroscience for several reasons. The ability of cephalopods to avoid detection by predators suggests that texture perception must follow similar principles in most species, otherwise camouflage would not be successful. Since cephalopods and vertebrates diverged from a primitive common ancestor more than 550 million years ago, these principles must be based on functional convergence. The process of cephalopod camouflage is neurally controlled, i.e., it is driven by the brain, with ..read more

Study reveals how proteins direct nerve cell precursors to turn into specialized neurons Brain development is a highly orchestrated process involving numerous parallel and sequential steps. Many of these steps depend on the activation of specific genes. A team led by Christian Mayer at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence discovered that a protein called MEIS2 plays a crucial role in this process: it activates genes necessary for the formation of inhibitory projection neurons. These neurons are vital for motion control and decision-making. A MEIS2 mutation, known from patients ..read more

Specialized nerve cells in the brain inhibit food intake during nausea. Satiety, nausea or anxiety can all lead to a loss of appetite. Delaying eating can be a healthy move by the body to prevent further damage and to gain time for regenerating. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence now identified the circuit in the brain that prevents mice from eating when they feel nauseous. The decisive role is played by special nerve cells in the amygdala – a brain region involved when emotions run high. The cells are activated during nausea and elicit appetite-suppressing sig ..read more

In nerve cells, the hormone regulates whether mitochondria are shut down or kept running The hormone insulin controls many cellular processes and adapts them to the body’s current energy supply. One of the insulin-regulated processes is the quality control of cellular power plants in neurons, Angelika Harbauer and her team at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence discovered. When sufficient energy is available in the body, insulin facilitates the elimination of defective mitochondria. When energy is scarce or when the insulin signal is interrupted, mitochondrial recycling is red ..read more

In a new publication, MPFI Scientists demonstrate that ALS-linked protein VAP anchors mitochondria near dendritic spines to support memory formation. When experiencing new things, the structure and function of our neurons and their connections are rapidly being remodeled. This process, known as synaptic plasticity, is critical for us to learn and adapt. However, these changes require a lot of energy. Fortunately, our neurons are well-adapted to support these changes. Biological batteries known as mitochondria are strategically stabilized near sites of synaptic remodeling to ensure a local and ..read more