4 ms·

Will we be able to modify the plasticity of our neurons with future drugs?

by nod 8y ago

trevyn 8y ago
Current drugs, even. But I would recommend just changing your neurons with your own mind — that’s a cool ability humans have! See, for example, NOVA’s “Memory Hackers” episode: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kvpX3VZMuyM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kvpX3VZMuyM
- johnisgood 8y ago
  That, and exercise. Exercise promotes the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) through the action of the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4915811/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4915811/
- srean 8y ago
  I have absolutely no knowledge of neuro-chemistry. Do data rape drugs excercise similar pathways ? I am interested in the logical opposite though -- chemicals that reinforce memory formation ino rder to learn/memorize quicker.
leemailll 8y ago
Modulation of plasticity is incredibly easy, but the missing link is how this translates into memory, information, behavior etc.
buboard 8y ago
It is already possible with viral vectors (in mice). The CREB experiments increase excitability, ltp etc. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04445-9 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04445-9 the CCR5 receptors (which was modified in chinese human babies) affect plasticity & memory : https://elifesciences.org/articles/20985 https://elifesciences.org/articles/20985 it is also possible with optogenetics to gate plasticity, erasing and reenabling memory engrams http://sci-hub.tw/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41583-018-0031-2 http://sci-hub.tw/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41583-018... its not clear how increased plasticity is beneficial though (these experiments are mainly aiming to erase memories, like PTSD memories)
lkrubner 8y ago
Current drugs. Nerve Growth Factor was discovered by Rita Levi-Montalcini in 1952. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1986. She took a small dose of NGF everyday, starting in the late 1950s and lasting till her death in 2012, at the age of 103. Of the many impressive things about her, there is the fact that she kept working till she was 101. Was she helped by the NGF? Further research is needed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Levi-Montalcini https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Levi-Montalcini

Will we be able to modify the plasticity of our neurons with future drugs?

by nod 8y ago

Will we be able to modify the plasticity of our neurons with future drugs?

Current drugs, even. But I would recommend just changing your neurons with your own mind — that’s a cool ability humans have! See, for example, NOVA’s “Memory Hackers” episode: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kvpX3VZMuyM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kvpX3VZMuyM

johnisgood 8y ago
That, and exercise. Exercise promotes the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) through the action of the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4915811/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4915811/
srean 8y ago
I have absolutely no knowledge of neuro-chemistry. Do data rape drugs excercise similar pathways ? I am interested in the logical opposite though -- chemicals that reinforce memory formation ino rder to learn/memorize quicker.

leemailll 8y ago

Modulation of plasticity is incredibly easy, but the missing link is how this translates into memory, information, behavior etc.

buboard 8y ago

It is already possible with viral vectors (in mice). The CREB experiments increase excitability, ltp etc. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04445-9 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04445-9 the CCR5 receptors (which was modified in chinese human babies) affect plasticity & memory : https://elifesciences.org/articles/20985 https://elifesciences.org/articles/20985 it is also possible with optogenetics to gate plasticity, erasing and reenabling memory engrams http://sci-hub.tw/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41583-018-0031-2 http://sci-hub.tw/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41583-018... its not clear how increased plasticity is beneficial though (these experiments are mainly aiming to erase memories, like PTSD memories)

lkrubner 8y ago

Current drugs. Nerve Growth Factor was discovered by Rita Levi-Montalcini in 1952. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1986. She took a small dose of NGF everyday, starting in the late 1950s and lasting till her death in 2012, at the age of 103. Of the many impressive things about her, there is the fact that she kept working till she was 101. Was she helped by the NGF? Further research is needed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Levi-Montalcini https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Levi-Montalcini