Stimulation modulates gene-linked cell assemblies in the human brain.
Stimulation enhances cell assemblies in the human cortex by activating specific gene regulatory networks, with effects observed in both ex vivo and in vivo conditions.
- Why it matters: Understanding how stimulation influences brain circuits at the molecular level is crucial for developing targeted therapies to restore cognitive functions, yet this mechanism remains poorly understood in humans.
- What they did: Researchers combined microelectrode array stimulation, neural recordings, and single-nucleus genomics on resected temporal cortex from neurosurgery patients, analyzing gene expression changes linked to stimulation.
- The result: They identified that stimulation strengthens cell assemblies through cell-type-specific gene signatures, providing a molecular basis for neuromodulation's therapeutic potential and guiding future targeted interventions.