Mossy Cells Control Epilepsy

Mossy cells are fibers that contain unmyelinated fibers, which are found in the hypothalamus. Scientists are attempting to find if the mossy cells are linked to epilepsy. In order to do this an optic fiber was placed inside of a mouse. Mossy cells respond to light, which the scientists have control over with a switch. The deactivation of the light lead to the mice having epileptic seizures throughout the brain. The hippocampus is important for spatial recognition and for long term memory. Though there are mossy cells spread throughout the brain, the majority of the mossy cells reside in the hippocampus.