The article discusses how a specific group of neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus actively coordinates peripheral adaptations after exercise, influencing endurance improvements. It reports that brain signaling is necessary for muscle remodeling and stamina gains, and that manipulating these neurons can either blunt or enhance training outcomes in mice. The findings suggest the brain plays a direct and causal role in exercise endurance.

This topic is of interest to psychology enthusiasts because it highlights the neural mechanisms underlying behavior change and how brain processes can shape physical adaptation and motivation related to exercise.

Article Title: Scientists reveal the brain’s surprisingly active role in building exercise endurance
Link to PsyPost Article: https://nolinkpreview.com/www.psypost.org/scientists-reveal-the-brains-surprisingly-active-role-in-building-exercise-endurance/

#brainendurance #neuroscience #hypothalamus #SF1neurons #exercisebiology #neuralplasticity #endurancetraining #metabolism #fitnessneuroscience #PsyPost

Just came across an elegant new #SNN framework called #nervos by Maskeen and Lashkare, which implements a two layer SNN w/ local #STDP #learning to classify, e.g., #MNIST digits. Here is an example, where I apply it to a 6-class subset of MNIST. The model reaches around 85% accuracy & the learned synapses show digit-like patterns. Quite impressive in my view, given the simplicity of the architecture & the local learning rule:

🌍https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/blog/2026-02-16-nervos_stdp_snn_simulation_on_mnist/

#CompNeuro #Neuroscience #NeuralPlasticity

Spike-timing-dependent #plasticity (#STDP) is a core rule in #ComputationalNeuroscience that adjusts #synaptic strength based on precise pre- vs. postsynaptic #spike timing, enabling #TemporalCoding and #learning in #SNN. In this post, I summarize its mathematical formulation, functional consequences for learning and #memory along with a simple #Python example:

🌍 https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/blog/2026-02-12-stdp/

#CompNeuro #Neuroscience #SNN #NeuralDynamics #NeuralPlasticity

Recent findings show that hippocampal neurons shift their activity backward in time as learning occurs, enabling anticipation of rewards before they happen. Using calcium imaging in mice performing a delayed nonmatching-to-location task, the study tracked the same neurons over weeks and observed a backpropagation of tuning from reward delivery to earlier moments, including the moment of correct touchscreen choice. The results portray the hippocampus as a dynamic predictive map that reorganizes with experience to guide future behavior.

This work is of interest to psychology because it provides concrete neural evidence for predictive coding and memory-based anticipation, illustrating how learning reshapes mental representations to forecast future events. It links memory, prediction, and action in a measurable neural framework.

Article Title: Hippocampal neurons shift their activity backward in time to anticipate rewards

Link to PsyPost Article: ift dot tt/fVBpnxF

Copy and paste broken link above into your browser and replace "dot" with "." for link to work. We have to do it this way to avoid displaying copyrighted images.

#Hippocampus #PredictiveCoding #NeuralPlasticity #CalciumImaging #RewardLearning

#NeuralPlasticity & #learning are distinct but interrelated processes. #Plasticity denotes biological change in #NeuralSystems, while learning is its functional expression in #NetworkDynamics & #behavior. Learning arises from coordinated plastic processes, reshaping #NeuralStateSpace & #attractors to support stable yet flexible representations. Here's a new post on these concepts & their implications for #ComputationalNeuroscience:

🌍https://www.fabriziomusacchio.com/blog/2026-02-02-neural_plasticity_and_learning/

#CompNeuro #Neuroscience

DNA Methylation and Hydroxymethylation: The Molecular Switches of Gene Expression

#DNA #Epigenetics #GeneRegulation #Methylation #Hydroxymethylation #TET enzymes #DNARepair #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #Genetics #Cognition #Biology #MolecularBiology #GeneticResearch #NeuralPlasticity

https://youtube.com/shorts/5e4zK-AJutU?feature=share

🧠💦 Swimming boosts brain health! 🏊‍♀️🧠 A growing body of research shows that regular swimming can improve memory, cognitive function, mood, and even reverse brain aging. 🧠🏊‍♂️ Swimming stimulates neurogenesis, increases BDNF levels, and enhances neural plasticity. 🧠💪 It's the closest thing to a fountain of youth! 🏊‍♀️🧠 #SwimForYourBrain #BrainHealth #CognitiveBoost #NeuralPlasticity #BDNF #FountainOfYouth

🔗 https://ideas.ted.com/swimming-brain-boost-science/

We've seen the GOP go all in on autocracy and fascism. We can only understand the true danger we face when we realize how easily the language of dehumanization of a group can become hardwired and become very difficult to dislodge.

Help a part-time blogger, full-time citizen out and boost this post, okay?

#Propaganda #HateSpeech #NeuralPlasticity

http://thepsyoflifeblog.com/2023/07/04/conservatives-use-hitlers-propaganda-playbook-to-hardwiring-political-hate-part-1/