A recent study challenges the long-held belief that the brain uses a single site for all synaptic transmissions. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh discovered that the brain employs distinct transmission sites for different types of plasticity, essential for learning and memory. The findings were published in Science Advances in June 2025.
The research, conducted on a mouse model, revealed that spontaneous and evoked transmissions originate from separate sites. Spontaneous transmissions are signals triggered randomly, while evoked transmissions are triggered by sensory input. Each site has its own developmental timeline and regulatory rules.
This separation allows the brain to maintain consistent background activity while refining behaviorally relevant pathways. This dual system supports both stability and the brain's ability to adapt and learn. Understanding this could help in understanding conditions like autism and Alzheimer's. The study suggests that by separating these two signaling modes, the brain can remain stable while still being flexible enough to adapt and learn.