Bird Brains Have as many Neurons as Primates

Birds are far more intelligent and impressive creatures than some may realize. Even with small brains birds are capable of making complex cognitive decisions and actions. How is this possible? These avian creatures have a high neuron density. Though the brain is small the amount of neurons is near that of a mid sized primate. The study comes from universities out of Austria, Czech Republic, and Brazil. It was one of the first studies of its kind in the methods used to calculate the amount of neurons. Over twenty different species were sampled and brains dissected. The findings of the study were overall expected in the science community. As such, behaviors like tool building found in crows, and majestical vocal abilities found within songbirds, require higher cognitive function.

Lactate From Astrocytes May Play Large Role in Long-Term Memory

What where once thought to be little more than structures to fill the gaps between important neurons, may play a more important role than just that. Recent studies have suggested that these star shaped cells in our brains called astrocytes, are involved in information processing, signal transmission, and help to regulate neurons and synapses. Also they are responsible for long-term memory formation.

Lactate from astrocytes into neurons is what long-term memories are dependent on. When that transfer of lactate in to neurons is blocked in any way, lab rats fail to remember what happened days or weeks ago, with short term memories being unaffected. The way the scientists tested this idea in rats was rather simple. By exposing rats to a single unpleasant experience, particularly a foot shock, they form a lasting memory of where the unpleasant experience occurred and avoid it. Then, when disrupting the lactate transporters on the astrocytes or neurons the rats developed amnesia.

These are important findings that in the future, may help us better understand neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or just the memory loss associated with old age. Synaptic function loss between neurons and the astrocytes seem to be the main cause of long-term memory loss. More studies and experiments on the synapses between the neurons and astrocytes may help us form remedies that will help us retain our long-term memories before we lose them.