Neurobiology Notes

Neurobiology Notes explores advancements in neuroscience focusing on brain preservation, neuroimaging techniques, neural connectivity, and memory encoding. It discusses innovative research methods, ethical considerations in brain banking, and the genetic basis of neurological and psychiatric conditions. The blog also covers technological progress in brain mapping and preservation strategies aimed at future revival possibilities.

Brain Preservation Neuroimaging Techniques Neural Connectivity Memory Encoding Brain Banking Ethics Genetics of Neurological Conditions Technological Advances in Neuroscience Preservation Strategy and Techniques

The hottest Substack posts of Neurobiology Notes

And their main takeaways

Our lazy, enterprising brains

0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 09
  1. Delegating mental tasks to Google can be beneficial for our brains.
  2. Training can change neurons to react differently to stimuli.
  3. Optimism surrounds the future of brain-computer interfaces, despite potential roadblocks ahead.

Save The Social Animals

0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 10
  1. Save social animals to reduce their suffering.
  2. Consider policy implications to prioritize saving social animals over others.
  3. Focus on curbing suffering of animals in nature based on utilitarian perspectives.

The top 11 poems of all time

0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 08
  1. Famous poems can come from different time periods, not just modern times.
  2. The best poems are likely to be excellent, regardless of personal preferences.
  3. An economist determined the top poems by counting how often they appeared in major anthologies.

Non-Great Depression parallels to the current financial crisis

0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 08
  1. The author discusses non-Great Depression parallels to the current financial crisis.
  2. Drawing too many comparisons to the Great Depression may not be wise as it is just one data point.
  3. History shows it's risky to take actions based on overinflated expectations.

Question #4: The major areas of the vertebrate brain

0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 09
  1. The vertebrate brain has fourteen major areas, each with specific functions like controlling autonomic functions, sensory and motor control, memory consolidation, and emotional reactions.
  2. Some brain regions, like the cerebellum and hypothalamus, are conserved across vertebrate species, suggesting common evolutionary functions.
  3. Different brain regions, such as the frontal lobe and occipital lobe, are responsible for distinct functions like executive decisions and processing visual information.
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Question #3: King Phillip came over from Germany Sunday

0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 09
  1. Animals are classified based on traits and DNA sequences into different phyla, with the most common method being phylogenetic taxonomy.
  2. Invertebrate animals like sponges, corals, and flatworms have fascinating adaptations like regenerating body parts and using diffusion for oxygen and nutrient exchange.
  3. Different invertebrates, like arthropods, mollusks, and segmented worms, have unique characteristics such as jointed limbs, closed circulatory systems, and segmented bodies.

Who voted for Hitler?

0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 08
  1. Democratic voting can lead to undemocratic results, like with Hitler's party.
  2. Voter actions in Weimar elections were driven by economic self-interest.
  3. Support for racist policies can be rationalized if perceived to benefit economic interests.

Breaking Down Bill Simmons

0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 09
  1. Bill Simmons is willing to write negatively about people he's not close to, pushing boundaries and separating himself from others.
  2. Simmons has outrageously overambitious ideas, like lists and fantasy sports, even if they may not all come to fruition.
  3. Simmons is knowledgeable and references movies from the 1980s and 1990s, and his humor and humor filter are well-regarded.

Benchmarks for Obama's Presidential Success

0 implied HN points • 20 Jan 09
  1. Lower the National Debt by cutting back on spending and war costs
  2. Reduce Per Capita Healthcare Spending to match OECD countries
  3. GPA above 2.5 makes Obama a good president, 3.5 or above a great one

Reward Expectancy in Placebo and Hypnosis

0 implied HN points • 26 Aug 09
  1. Placebo effect is related to reward expectancy.
  2. Hypnosis success is strongly connected to individual's expectation of being hypnotized.
  3. Behavior under the influence of alcohol varies culturally based on expectations and responses.

Scanning Neural Circuitry

0 implied HN points • 01 Jul 09
  1. Connections between neurons are specific and based on neuron type, not randomly distributed
  2. Electron microscopy is currently the best technology for mapping neural circuits due to its high resolution
  3. Different techniques like serial section transmission electron microscopy, serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, and serial section electron tomography are used to map neural circuitry

The Carbon Climate Response

0 implied HN points • 11 Jun 09
  1. A new mathematical model considers how changes in CO2 emissions affect global temperature increases.
  2. To stay below a 2 degrees Celsius temperature rise, we need to limit emissions to 0.8 trillion more tons of CO2.
  3. Cutting emissions won't quickly reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations; we might need geoengineering or advanced technology for long-term solutions.

Envision Victims But Not Villians

0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 09
  1. In narratives and reality, villains are often blamed, but it's smarter to focus on victims without creating villains.
  2. Blaming individuals like investment bankers or creditors may not hold up upon closer analysis.
  3. Smart policies should focus on acknowledging victims without assigning blame to specific villains.

Being Skeptical Of Your Skepticism

0 implied HN points • 24 Oct 10
  1. Don't discount everything an author claims just because of one mistake.
  2. We tend to categorize people as either completely truthful or totally dishonest, but reality is more complex.
  3. It's important to be aware of our own biases when judging others' claims.

Thanks For Reading This Blog

0 implied HN points • 27 May 09
  1. The author is grateful for the support of readers throughout the years.
  2. Loyal readers who subscribe via RSS or email are particularly appreciated.
  3. Readers are encouraged to share interesting links with the author.

SQAB 2009 Breakdown

0 implied HN points • 25 May 09
  1. Perception is an act of creation and memory is an act of imagination.
  2. Intelligence is a construct where skills in one area often translate to others.
  3. There are no failed experiments, only opportunities for better controls in the next one.

Neurogenesis induces anxiety?

0 implied HN points • 19 May 09
  1. Voluntary wheel running in rodents can increase adult neurogenesis.
  2. The impact of voluntary exercise on anxiety levels is unclear, with studies showing mixed results.
  3. Increased neurogenesis may not always reduce anxiety and returning it to baseline levels could be more beneficial.

Should We Shift Away From Positional Purchases?

0 implied HN points • 19 May 09
  1. Consider shifting from positional purchases to more instrumentally valuable items that reflect individualistic style.
  2. Recognize the dynamics of personality traits and how social influencers may advocate for behavior that benefits themselves rather than the population as a whole.
  3. It's okay for people to spend on positional items as it creates a marketplace for uniqueness and allows others to signal their individuality.

Applying single wall carbon nanotubes to the brain

0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 08
  1. Nanotechnology has exciting potential applications in neuroscience.
  2. Single-wall carbon nanotubes show promise in closely adhering to neural tissue.
  3. Future of nanotechnology in the brain could lead to small devices with significant impact.

The effect of seizures on hippocampal neurogenesis

0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 08
  1. Seizures impact hippocampal neurogenesis differently based on their type.
  2. Exercise and enriched environment enhance neurogenesis, while seizures can reduce it.
  3. Understanding how seizures affect neurogenesis can help in managing conditions like epilepsy and cognitive deficiencies.

Why Saying "Thank You" is Hard

0 implied HN points • 12 May 09
  1. Giving compliments can make us feel vulnerable.
  2. Positive emotions expose us to risks, while negative emotions insulate us.
  3. Thanking someone and accepting gratitude involves risk of rejection or heartbreak.

Microfearonomics

0 implied HN points • 24 Jan 09
  1. Economists may not have a complete understanding of micro-fear and its impact on consumer behavior
  2. Government intervention in economic stimulus may not always be necessary and may even harm consumer confidence
  3. Politicians may focus on appearing proactive rather than achieving actual results in economic situations

What drives your actions?

0 implied HN points • 26 Jan 09
  1. Our actions are often driven by internal forces that we may not fully understand.
  2. We may struggle to explain big life decisions compared to smaller ones.
  3. Sometimes, what drives our actions can be a mystery even to ourselves.

Kinds of Minds book notes

0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 09
  1. Membership in the class of things that have minds gives a moral guarantee.
  2. Humans are descendants of self-replicating robots and other creatures.
  3. A mind is an expectation-generator that acts based on past assumptions.

How important are recommender systems?

0 implied HN points • 24 Nov 08
  1. Transparency is crucial in recommender systems to avoid bias and corruption.
  2. In rating systems, transparency can lead to manipulation by firms.
  3. The future of recommender systems may not be as bright as some think.

Overpopulation of Urban Deer lecture notes

0 implied HN points • 28 Jan 09
  1. Overpopulation of urban deer causes biodiversity issues and deer-vehicle crashes.
  2. Man-made landscapes and lack of natural predators contribute to deer overpopulation.
  3. Suggested solutions for overpopulation include culling and learning archery for hunting deer.

Why Nature Didn't Choose Arsenic

0 implied HN points • 05 Dec 10
  1. Phosphates are preferred in biological systems due to their resistance to hydrolysis and ability to act as leaving groups for enzymatic reactions.
  2. Arsenic esters are not suitable for genetic materials because they are rapidly hydrolyzed in water, making them poor linkers for DNA and RNA bases.
  3. The possibility of a bacterium surviving without phosphates challenges concepts about the flexibility of reaction rates in physiological systems.

In vivo optogenetics in C. elegans

0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 11
  1. Studies used optogenetics in free-moving C. elegans, tracking their movement accurately
  2. Different systems demonstrated precise control by targeting specific neurons and cells with light sources
  3. Advancements suggest a future model of C. elegans nervous system is on the horizon

Russ Roberts, Robin Hanson EconTalk notes

0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 09
  1. Incentives in arguments could lead to more disagreement than truth-seeking.
  2. Being aware of your own biases is crucial to honest discourse.
  3. Promoting skepticism and statistical knowledge can help combat biases and false consensus.

Coolness Emphasizes Short Run Over Long Run

0 implied HN points • 08 Nov 09
  1. Coolness often prioritizes short-term enjoyment over long-term goals.
  2. Cool activities are those that emphasize immediate fun and thrill.
  3. Coolness is a signal to prioritize present enjoyment over future outcomes.

Would you play harder against a human than a computer?

0 implied HN points • 05 Feb 09
  1. Subjects played harder against humans than computers in a study.
  2. Brain activity differed when playing humans versus computers.
  3. The study suggests greater theory of mind use when playing against humans.

Towards A More Risk Loving imdb

0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 11
  1. The true rating of a movie may be biased due to various factors like conditions during viewing, so it's important to adjust ratings down towards the average.
  2. Deciding how much to adjust a movie rating based on sample size is subjective and depends on personal risk tolerance.
  3. Proposing that users should have the freedom to choose their own scaling parameter for movie ratings to avoid biases in the current system.

A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness book notes

0 implied HN points • 27 Nov 08
  1. Capgras syndrome disrupts the connection between visual centers and emotions.
  2. Chronic pain and acute pain serve different purposes.
  3. Synesthesia, where musical notes or numbers are linked to colors, is fairly common.

Variation in Sports Highlights

0 implied HN points • 14 Nov 09
  1. Watching sports highlights can be predictable if every shot shown goes in.
  2. Adding missed shots occasionally can increase viewer anticipation and suspense.
  3. Variety in sports highlights keeps viewers engaged and on their toes.

Arnold Kling is On Fire

0 implied HN points • 11 Nov 09
  1. Arnold Kling highlights concerns about elite control and its impact on society
  2. Kling warns about the looming crisis of US debts and the potential consequences
  3. Kling discusses the pervasive nature of status seeking behavior in different aspects of society

Bad experiences and great stories

0 implied HN points • 25 Nov 08
  1. It's rational to expose yourself to risky situations for the potential of a good story.
  2. Younger individuals may benefit more from taking risks for storytelling purposes.
  3. Having an interesting story behind a negative experience can make it more compelling.

Microwave irradiation as a brain banking tool

0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 22
  1. Microwave irradiation can inactivate enzymes in the brain to preserve brain morphology.
  2. The method may not preserve delicate cellular features like synapses.
  3. Combining microwave irradiation with other preservation methods could help minimize enzyme-driven autolysis.

Describing the chemistry of the glutamate-glutamine cycle

0 implied HN points • 07 Feb 09
  1. Astrocytes play a major role in regulating the glutamate-glutamine cycle in the synapse.
  2. The conversion of glutamate to glutamine involves a four-step reaction, as described by Colanduoni et al, 1987.
  3. Carbon-13 NMR analysis by Shen et al, 1999, helped distinguish between glutamine labeling from the glial TCA cycle and the glutamate-glutamine cycle.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 10 Oct 22
  1. Neurobiology Notes is a newsletter about various neurobiological topics like psychiatry, Alzheimer's disease, engrams, and brain banking.
  2. Posts from an old blog have been imported to the Neurobiology Notes platform.
  3. Stay tuned for more updates on neurobiology at neurobiology.substack.com.