LA JOLLA\u2014In recent decades, scientists have learned a great deal about how different neurons connect and send signals to each other. But it\u2019s been difficult to trace the activity of individual nerve fibers known as axons, some of which can extend from the tip of the toe to the head. Understanding these connections is important for figuring out how the brain receives and responds to signals from other parts of the body.<\/p>\n
Researchers at the Salk Institute and UC San Diego are reporting a novel technique for tracing these connections and determining how neurons communicate. The team used this technique to uncover details about how the brain responds to light signals received by the retina in mice, published October 15, 2019, in Cell Reports<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis study is a breakthrough because no one could figure out how to study these connections before,\u201d says Salk Professor \u8428\u5947\u8fbe\u5357\u8fbe\u00b7\u6f58\u8fbe<\/a>, co-corresponding author of the paper. \u201cThis new technique has enabled us to go well beyond the limitations of electron microscopy.\u201d<\/p>\n