The key to the brain's working memory has been found. Free Technical Library News

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Found the key to the working memory of the brain

18.10.2020

Working memory - the ability to keep thoughts in mind even when distracted - is the basis of abstract reasoning and a defining characteristic of the human brain. It is seriously disturbed in disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, but sometimes it can fail a healthy person.

American researchers at Yale University have discovered a key molecule that helps neurons retain information in working memory, potentially leading to a treatment for neurocognitive disorders, according to the journal Neuron.

Working memory arises from neural circuits in the prefrontal cortex. Neurons encourage each other to keep information "in memory". These diagrams act as a kind of mental notepad, allowing us to remember that onions are being cooked in a pan in the kitchen while we are looking for scissors in another room.

The new study shows that these prefrontal cortical circuits are dependent on the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which stimulates M1 muscarinic receptors located on the surface of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Blocking these receptors reduces the activity of neurons involved in working memory, while activation of the M1 receptors helps restore their activity. Since the action of acetylcholine on M1 receptors is reduced in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, the M1 receptor may serve as a potential therapeutic target, the authors of the scientific work say.

A drug for the treatment of schizophrenia is currently being developed that stimulates this M1 receptor. It has already shown promising results in early clinical trials.

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Smart lighting system for office buildings from Philips 07.04.2014

Philips has announced an innovative smart lighting system for large office buildings that will help reduce energy costs and improve worker comfort.

The presented platform is based on the use of light-emitting diode lighting (LED) devices and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology, which allows the transmission of electrical energy and data exchange over a standard twisted pair cable in an Ethernet network. In other words, Philips proposes to integrate the lighting system with computer infrastructure, which will allow collecting additional information and optimizing the operation of climate complexes.

Thus, LED lamps can be equipped with sensors to measure temperature, humidity and detect people in the room. This will allow the computer program to calculate on which days of the week and hours some rooms are empty, while others, on the contrary, are occupied. Based on this information, you can optimize the operation of heating and air conditioning systems, change the operating mode of LED lamps and adjust the cleaning schedule.

Lighting fixtures can also be equipped with wireless communication chips. In this case, employees using an application for a smartphone or tablet will be able to change the mode of operation of individual lamps in their work area, creating the most comfortable conditions.

Finally, the "smart" lighting system can play the role of a local navigation system: by receiving data on the position of the LED lamps, the mobile application will tell you how to find the right room in a large office building or get to the nearest conference room.

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