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New neurons retire early

Using a new retrovirus-optogenetics technique, researchers have found that new neurons in the adult hippocampus are important for memory, but only at an immature stage, when they show enhanced synaptic plasticity.

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Figure 1: New neurons have enhanced synaptic plasticity at 4 weeks of age and are functionally relevant for memories that require the hippocampus.

Marina Corral

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Correspondence to Elizabeth Gould.

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Schoenfeld, T., Gould, E. New neurons retire early. Nat Neurosci 15, 1611–1612 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.3268

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