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Study Reveals Adolescent Brain Forms Synapse Hotspots, Not Loss

1/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study from Kyushu University finds that the adolescent brain forms new, densely packed synapse hotspots instead of undergoing major pruning.
Researchers tracked spine distribution in mice and observed hotspots emerging between three and eight weeks of age.
The results suggest the view that excessive synapse loss underpins conditions such as schizophrenia may require reevaluation.
Further research is needed to determine whether similar hotspot formation occurs in humans.

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Story summary

A study from Kyushu University finds that the adolescent brain forms new, densely packed synapse hotspots instead of undergoing major pruning.
Researchers tracked spine distribution in mice and observed hotspots emerging between three and eight weeks of age.
The results suggest the view that excessive synapse loss underpins conditions such as schizophrenia may require reevaluation.
Further research is needed to determine whether similar hotspot formation occurs in humans.