In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found that presynaptic intracellular magnesium (Mg2+) plays a crucial role in modulating synaptic connectivity within the hippocampus, offering new insights into how the brain processes information. The research reveals that synapses can switch between two configurations: one with low transmission efficiency, high plasticity, and high coding capacity ideal for learning, and another with high transmission efficiency, low plasticity, and low coding capacity suited for memory storage. These transitions are mediated by varying Mg2+ levels, which enhance synaptic computations and optimize information processing. Importantly, the study found that increasing Mg2+ levels in the brains of aging animals restored synaptic configurations to those of younger animals, significantly improving learning and memory. This discovery positions Mg2+ as a key factor in reconfiguring synaptic connectivity and optimizing the brain’s capacity for learning and memory. It also opens new avenues for developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and age-related cognitive decline.
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