As we live in a dynamically changing environment, it is important for our brain to not only learn new things but also to modify existing memories. This is commonly referred to as “cognitive flexibility.” Without this ability, we would not be able to adapt to the altered environment and be vulnerable to making wrong choices from relying only on past memories.
Led by Director C. Justin LEE, the researchers at the Center for Cognition and Sociality within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in Daejeon, South Korea reported that astrocytes, which are star-shaped cells in the brain, regulate cognitive flexibility. Specifically, they found that the astrocytes’ ability to simultaneously regulate and integrate synaptic plasticity of nearby synapses is important for facilitating cognitive flexibility.
It is thought that lower cognitive flexibility in brain disorders such as autism,…
