Neurophysicists to everyone: “There is an optimal brain frequency”
We may be familiar with the concept of electrical/chemical signals relating to neural communication. So, now imagine of every synapse branching out from every neuron - like an antenna, is tuned to a different frequency signal with a specific optimal point and this optimum frequency point depends on the location of the synapse on a neuron. The farther away the synapse is from the neuron’s cell body, the higher the optimum frequency was found to be. And it seems the more rhythmicly synced the frequencies were - the stronger the connection for memory and learning synapses.
The researchers found that not only does each synapse have a preferred frequency for achieving optimal learning, but for the best effect, the frequency needs to be perfectly rhythmic — timed at exact intervals. Even at the optimal frequency, if the rhythm was thrown off, synaptic learning was substantially diminished.
Their research also showed that once a synapse learns, its optimal frequency changes. In other words, if the optimal frequency for a naïve synapse — one that has not learned anything yet — was, say, 30 spikes per second, after learning, that very same synapse would learn optimally at a lower frequency, say 24 spikes per second. Thus, learning itself changes the optimal frequency for a synapse.
As well as possibly strengthening and enhancing learning and memory, learning-induced re-tuning and de-tuning could be have “important implications for treating disorders related to forgetting, such as PTSD disorder”. via
The image shows a neuron with a tree trunk-like dendrite. Each triangular shape touching the dendrite represents a synapse, where inputs from other neurons, called spikes, arrive (the squiggly shapes). Synapses that are further away on the dendritic tree from the cell body require a higher spike frequency (spikes that come closer together in time) and spikes that arrive with perfect timing to generate maximal learning. VIA
The Brain’s Silent Majority: How the Other 90 Percent of Your Brain Works
Neurons are the brain’s rock stars. But without the glial cells — astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes — there would be no show at all.
VERY interesting. One of my favorite articles I’ve read about neuroscience. Definitely worth reading.
"Weaving Functional Brain Imaging into the Tapestry of Evidence: A Case for Functional Neuroimaging in Federal Criminal Courts"
Lab Related Abstract:
Recent advances in brain imaging technologies allow researchers to “peer inside” a defendant’s brain. Although functional neuroimaging evidence is frequently used in civil litigation, federal courts have been hesitant to admit it into evidence in criminal trials. (…) Meanwhile, federal judges repeatedly admit various forms of forensic science into evidence without seriously considering whether they pass the relevant admissibility standards. This Note argues that this has created a double standard for evidence admissibility. Functional neuroimaging evidence may, in fact, be more scientifically reliable than much of the forensic science evidence currently admitted at trial. via. image
I’ve discussed the hypocrisy of allowing various types of evidence in criminal cases that have been found to be highly unreliable like eyewitness accounts or the ever popular slam dunk confession … but this paper underscores how judges should not only evaluate neuroimaging admissibility on its own scientific merits but compare it to other types of forensics already allowed in and moreover, the evidentiary standards that governed these decisions. 2 points!
