Latest Nelson Spruston Stories

Findings challenge conventional wisdom of how neurons operateNeurons are complicated, but the basic functional concept is that synapses transmit electrical signals to the dendrites and cell body (input), and axons carry signals away (output). In one of many surprise findings, Northwestern University scientists have discovered that axons can operate in reverse: they can send signals to the cell body, too.It also turns out axons can talk to each other. Before sending signals in reverse, axons...

Researchers Model Key Part of NeuronsThe human brain has evolved over millions of years to become a vast network of billions of neurons and synaptic connections. Understanding it is one of humankind's greatest pursuits.But to understand how the brain processes information, researchers must first understand the very basics of neurons "” even down to how proteins inside the neurons act to change the neuron's voltage.To do so requires a balance of experimentation and computer modeling "” a...

Dendrites integrate thousands of inputs locally before sending signals to central axonA tiny neuron is a very complicated structure. Its complex network of dendrites, axons and synapses is constantly dealing with information, deciding whether or not to send a nerve impulse, to drive a certain action.It turns out that neurons, at one level, operate like another complicated structure -- the United States, particularly its system of electing a president, through the Electoral College.A new...

 Like countless neuroscientists around the world, Northwestern University Professor Nelson Spruston knew H. M. well -- his personal story and the sound of his voice. But it wasn't until H. M. died last month that Spruston learned H. M.'s full name -- Henry Gustav Molaison.In 1953, Molaison, aged 27, had brain surgery to control his severe epilepsy. Both medial temporal lobes were removed, the first and only surgery of its kind. His seizures improved, but he became frozen in time, unable to...