The brain's first look at the world has been documented: A 5-fold explosion occurs in neural networks after the eyes are opened

It is known that experiences obtained from the outside world are as decisive as genetic codes in the development of the human and living brain. The question of how vision transforms from the first draft in the womb to the sharp form in adulthood has occupied the scientific world for a long time. Researchers at the Fitzpatrick Laboratory at MPFI live mapped the massive transformation that occurs in nerve cells (neurons) in the primary visual cortex between the moment the eyes first open and the following few days.

BAME-CHANGING FINDING: THE BRAIN DOES NOT DELETE WEAK CELLS, IT MAKES NEW CONNECTIONS

The dominant theory that has been accepted in the scientific world for many years was that the brain cleans up excess or incompatible nerve connections after birth by "pruning" (elimination) and preserves only useful signals. However, Dr. Juliane Jaepel and Dr. The team led by Clara Tepohl showed that this picture was incomplete.

In the first few days after the eyes were opened, a 5-fold increase was detected in the extensions of the neurons, called "dendritic spines", which allow them to communicate with other cells. Detailed analyzes revealed that instead of deleting the passive connections, the brain quickly incorporated new and strong connections into the network that processed the compatible signals coming from the two eyes.

SIGNALS FROM BOTH EYES ARE ALIGNED IN THE FIRST DAYS

When the eyes first open, visual cortex neurons in the brain receive complex and incompatible signals. However, the process changes rapidly with the first visual experiences from the outside world. The researchers presented visual patterns to each eye separately and recorded the responses of individual neurons at hundreds of junctions.

The resulting data showed that connections that detect edges and object boundaries of specific orientation grow exponentially. It was determined that neuron branches that perceive the same visual feature come side by side and increase each other's signal strength, thus the images coming from the two eyes turn into a single clear perception in full harmony within a few days.

IT WILL SHED LIGHT ON THE TREATMENT OF NEUROLOGICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

One of the senior authors of the study, Dr. David Fitzpatrick emphasized that the findings are not limited only to vision, but also shed light on the general working principles of the brain. This rapid neural wiring process shaped by experience; It is evaluated that it may be a basic principle valid for other brain circuits that provide learning, behavior and sensory integration.

Scientists state that possible disruptions that may occur during this intense cellular growth and sensitization period in the first days of eyes opening will be a critical key to understanding the origins of developmental brain disorders and neurological disorders that occur in childhood.