American specialists managed to "reconfigure" individual neurons in the primary visual cortex of mice with the help of mechanisms of neuroplasticity.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found a way to reprogram individual brain neurons. Experiment experts conducted in mice. They injected the rodent gene of the luminescent protein GCaMP6 and encodes the neuron-inducing protein gene CHR2.

Five days later, the mice were shown a gray screen with a white dot appearing in random places and in a target that was removed from the visibility of the neuron with GCaMP6. As a result, the neuron with luminescent protein increased the size of dendritic spines, while at the same time they decreased in cells not participating in the optical signal. So scientists managed to reprogram a small neural network.

Scientists for the first time managed to "reconfigure" the neurons in the brain of a living being and observe the mechanisms of neuroplasticity.