plasticity

In one demonstration, the team created a nanopore that mimics synaptic plasticity, "learning" from voltage pulses much like a neural synapse.

"This finding extends our earlier observations on the remarkable plasticity of microglia states and their important roles in diverse brain functions. It also underscores the vital importance of international collaboration in advancing scientific progress."

The term "synaptic plasticity" just means the ability of these connections to be strengthened or otherwise changed.

Research on both animals and humans shows that slow oscillations improve neural plasticity -- the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experiences and injury.

A third paper in eLife explains how the model was then improved further to include the process of synaptic plasticity, the fundamental mechanism that allows us to learn new information.