In the mammalian brain, neural stem cells exist even after birth, and new neurons are produced. As these new neurons mature, they form synapses with existing neurons to create functional neural circuits. For the brain to develop and function normally, it is important to maintain an appropriate number of synapses, but the mechanism to regulate the number of synapses has not been fully understood.
Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, including baldness, has been linked to a significantly increased risk for dementia, new research shows.