Scientists Discover That Building the Brain Requires…

Scientists Discover That Building the Brain Requires Temporary DNA Damage For decades, DNA damage has been viewed as something cells try to avoid at all costs. But a new study published in Nature suggests that, during brain development, certain forms of DNA damage may actually be a normal and necessary part of the process. Researchers from Kyoto University and collaborating institutions have found that young neurons routinely experience temporary DNA breaks as they travel through the developing brain. Remarkably, these cells are able to repair the damage quickly and continue functioning normally. As the brain develops, newly formed neurons must migrate from their birthplace to specific locations where they will eventually become part of neural circuits. This journey is far from easy. To reach their destinations, neurons must squeeze through extremely narrow spaces between surrounding cells and fibers. Researchers discovered that this physical movement places significant mechanical stress on the cells. As a result, many developing neurons experience d