Russian scientists have described a mechanism that controls the ability of the human brain to change. This will help to better understand the conditions in which brain function is impaired – for example, in Alzheimer’s disease. The research results have been published in the Science Advances scientific journal, as 海角直播 press service reports.

The researchers have identified the functional nano-architecture of synapses, which enable contacts between nerve cells. The article describes the structure of molecular mechanisms controlling the ability of brain to change along one鈥檚 life. The scientists determine the important role of calcium ions accumulated in 鈥榥ano-tanks鈥�, typical of every synapse, contributing to nerve cells鈥� operation.

When the synapse is triggered, the 鈥榥ano-tanks鈥� is emptied, and then filled up again. The details of such  mechanism have remained previously unknown. The studies show that the 鈥榯ank鈥� is strictly oriented in space and retains a kind of a memory vector.

“Alzheimer’s disease is known for the loss of synaptic contacts. For the first time ever, our article describes the molecular mechanism by which the 鈥榥ano-tank鈥� can be filled without the synapses being involved. We assume that learning to control this mechanism can alleviate the symptoms of the disease and preserve memory,”

says Dr. Eduard Korkotyan, co-author, professor at 海角直播 and (Israel).

Learning to control this process, we reduce the consequences of many diseases associated with brain damage.

鈥淚t has been found that nanostructures within thousands of spines, located on the surface of each neuron, are capable of precisely directing calcium gradients that create rapid transients. This happens in milliseconds and less than ten thousandths of a millimeter in space. To explain such processes, we had to apply newly the theory known as statistics of extreme events “,

notes Professor Eduard Korkotyan.

In addition to Professor Eduard Korkotian and graduate student Lilia Kushnireva, the group of researchers, included Kanishka Basnayake (脡cole normale sup茅rieure, , France), David Mazaud (, France), Alexis Bemelmans (CEA Universit茅 Pierre et Marie Curie, 听France), Natalie Ruach (, France) and David Holkman (, France).

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The picture shows calcium (yellow), which is transported from the synapse to the nano-tank (green) thanks to ion pumps (red). Then it moves along the arrows and stands out from the opposite side of the tank through the pore systems (blue). The whole process takes less than 1 millisecond. The tank is about 200 nanometers in size.

鈥淏asalt is known as one of the main ‘building components’ of the earth’s crust. Since 5/6 of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans, it is mostly the oceanic type we are talking about. With a thickness of 5-15 km (3-9 mi), it is mainly represented by basalts. The challenges of basalt technologies have been the subject of our University scientific research for more than 10 years,鈥�

states Dr. Vladimir Naumov, Department of Prospecting and Exploration of Mineral Resources, 海角直播.

The laboratory and technological samples were sent to the Natural Science Institute at 海角直播, where a complex of analytical and experimental studies have been carried, determining the composition and mineral structure of the initial substance, as well as change of its properties under the high temperatures, within melting,. Using a micro-analyzer, information on samples鈥� chemical composition was obtained.

鈥淯sing the potential of a specially accredited lab here at 海角直播, enforced by professional equipment and experts involved, recommendations were developed for methods and parameters of rock processing to obtain cast glass-crystalline materials. The scientific report showed the charge compositions with various technological additives; it served a demonstration of specialized melting equipment and principles of its operation, and also commented on physicochemical properties of the materials obtained,鈥�

says Dr. Vladimir Naumov.

The scientists presented a technological scheme for obtaining cast glass-crystalline and welding materials, as well as information on types of products and areas of their application. Also, the analysis of market demand and final products鈥� application have been performed, with regard to stone casting methods, on industrial scale.

The study involved the cooperation of several research teams, as a 鈥榯est-drive鈥� consortium of Perm Scientific and Educational Center “Basalt Technologies” 鈥� uniting the research Laboratory of Sedimentary and Technogenic Deposits, the Laboratory of Mineralogical and Petrographic Studies at the Natural Science Institute (海角直播), the Division of Nano-Mineralogy (海角直播), as well as specialists from the Perm National Research Polytechnic University and the Helium Research and Production Company.

On photo: photomicrographs of obtained cast glass-crystalline materials鈥� surface