Neuroplasticity enables the human brain to constantly change and adapt to stimuli. Researchers, Dr. Andreas Vlachos of the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Freiburg and Dr. Jürgen Beck of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University Medical Center Freiburg, have provided experimental evidence for synaptic plasticity in humans. The results were presented in the scientific journal eLife.
According to their study, the team investigated whether dendritic spines change when exposed to a vitamin A derivative called retinoic acid. Dendritic spines receive, process and transmit signals during communication between neurons. They play a significant role in brain plasticity and are constantly adapting to environmental stimuli. Their research demonstrates that retinoic acid increases the size of dendritic spines and strengthens their ability to transmit signals between neurons.
"We have concluded from our results that retinoic acids are important messengers for synaptic plasticity in the human brain. Thus, this finding contributes to the identification of key mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the human brain and could support the development of new therapeutic strategies for brain diseases, such as depression," says Vlachos.
Image credit: Andreas Vlachos