The Stars that Shape Our Brain

Remember how easy it was for you to learn new things when you were younger, and how much harder it is now? The ability of the brain to change its circuitry is known as plasticity. When we are young, plasticity is high, and as we grow older plasticity decreases. This is because our brain’s plasticity is age dependent. This investigation focuses on the role specialized brain cells called astrocytes play in the brain’s plasticity, or ability to learn. This discovery could lead to new treatments for disorders like autism and schizophrenia, where brain plasticity is disrupted.