To Learn More Quickly, Brain Cells Break Their DNA

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Breaking of the strands in our DNA material has been correlated with disease such as cancer, and processes like aging. New research shows that neurons use the same process to speed up learning. In essence, this is a defensive mechanism.

When time is critically important in our body’s effort to fight off life-threatening disease, neurons can increase their learning effectiveness. Genomes that are fractured in this way can be rebuilt later.

This study shows that the process may be quite normal routine for our brain.

Key Takeaways:

When faced with a threat, brain cells snap their DNA into pieces, then rebuild it later.
Neuroscientist Li-Huei Tsai and researcher Paul Marshall have shown how this seemingly damaging process can be beneficial.
The research demonstrates the need to start thinking about the genome as dynamic, not static.

“The double-strand breaks seemed to be essential for regulating gene activity important to the neurons’ function.”

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