Our muscles and brain cells may share more similarities than previously thought. Recent research from the Lippincott-Schwartz Lab reveals a network of subcellular structures, akin to those driving muscle contractions, which also transmits signals in the brain, potentially impacting learning and memory.
Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz, Janelia Senior Group Leader, noted a parallel between brain and muscle function, stating, “Einstein said that when he uses his brain, it is like he is using a muscle, and in that respect, there is some parallel here. The same machinery is operating in both cases but with different readouts”.
Endoplasmic Reticulum’s Role
The initial link between brain and muscle cells emerged when scientists at Janelia observed unusual activity in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER consists of membranous sheets and folds inside cells and is vital for various cellular functions.
Lorena Benedetti, a research scientist at the Lippincott-Schwartz Lab, noticed molecules tracing a repeating, ladder-like pattern along the dendrites of mammalian neurons. Dendrites are branch-like extensions on brain cells that receive incoming signals.
Vagus Nerve and Interoception
The vagus nerve, a cranial nerve that relays information between the brain and internal organs, plays a crucial role in this body-to-brain connection. This process, known as interoception, is essential for survival. Signals transmitted via the vagus nerve are coded independently by specialized vagal sensory neurons.
According to Yale researchers, these signals possess three key features independently coded by vagal sensory neurons: the organ of origin, the tissue layer within that organ, and the nature of the stimulus. This coding mechanism enables the brain’s precise signal discrimination.
Genetic Trajectory
Using novel technology, the Yale team discovered a “genetic trajectory” where neurons on one side projected to upper body organs like the lungs and esophagus, while neurons on the other side projected to lower abdomen organs.
Chang explained that by examining the genetic signature of the vagus nerve, they could identify the target organ of each neuron along the body’s rostro-caudal axis. This indicates the presence of genetic codes for visceral organ information within the vagus nerve.
Tissue Layer Specificity
The researchers also found distinct genetic coding guiding vagal sensory neurons to different tissue layers within organs, independent of the genetic coding for organs. Each organ comprises individual components with varying functions, such as the stomach’s surface connective tissue layer, muscular layer, and innermost mucosa layer.
Chang emphasized the surprise of this finding, noting that previous studies had not considered this aspect. Knowing these two codes allows precise determination of where a particular neuron in the vagus nerve projects within the body.
Specificity in Language
Using more vivid and palpable language rewards readers. Specifics awaken a swath of brain circuits. Think of “pelican” versus “bird.” Or “wipe” versus “clean.” In one study, the more-specific words in those pairs activated more neurons in the visual and motor-strip parts of the brain than did the general ones, which means they caused the brain to process meaning more robustly.
Stirring Language
Experiments show that when people hear a list of words, they often miss a few as a result of “attentional blinks” caused by limits in our brain processing power. But we don’t miss the emotionally significant words. With those, there are no blinks. So when you write your next memo, consider injecting words that package feeling and thought together. Instead of saying “challenge the competition,” you might use “outwit rivals.” In lieu of “promote innovation,” try “prize ingenuity.”
Smart Thinking
Making people feel smart—giving them an “aha” moment—is another way to please readers. Psychological research also reveals how people feel after such moments: at ease, certain, and—most of all—happy.
One way is to draw fresh distinctions. Ginni Rometty, formerly IBM’s CEO, offered one with this description of the future: “It will not be a world of man versus machine; it will be a world of man plus machine.”
