Scientists have discovered brain cells that help to memorize objects

Scientists at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine (Canada) have discovered a new type of brain cell called an "ovoid cell." These specialized neurons help us memorize and recognize objects.

According to the scientists, the cells are activated when we encounter something new and store it in our memory. It is this process that allows us to recognize these objects months or even years later, Tech Explorist writes.

These cells have a distinct ovoid shape, which is why they are called ovoid cells. They are found in relatively small numbers in the hippocampus of humans, mice, and other animals.

The egg-shaped cells were discovered during the study of a mouse brain sample. The lead author of the study, Adrienne Kinman, noticed a small group of neurons with unique gene expression. Further analysis showed that these cells differ from other neurons in their structure and function.

To study the role of the cells she found, Kinman made them glow when they were active in the brains of mice. Using a miniature microscope, the team observed how they glowed when the mice encountered new objects. After the mice became accustomed to these objects, the cells stopped responding, indicating that the memorization process had taken place.

"It's amazing how quickly these cells react to something new. It is not often possible to observe such a clear connection between the activity and behavior of cells. And in mice, cells can remember a single encounter with an object for months, which is an extraordinary level of long-term memory for these animals," says the study's author.

The researchers are now studying how egg-shaped cells may be involved in brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. They believe that if these cells become too active or not active enough, they can cause the symptoms of these diseases.

Adrienne Kinman explains that people with Alzheimer's disease often forget familiar objects or the faces of loved ones. According to her, these symptoms can be prevented or reversed if it is possible to control these cells. Controlling these cells is just as important for new treatments for epilepsy.

Study co-author Dr. Cembrowski adds that the finding of these specialized neurons changes the long-held belief that the hippocampus has only one type of cell that controls memory. This discovery points to other unknown types of neurons in the brain that play a unique role in learning and memory, opening up new possibilities for understanding and treating brain diseases.

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