>In a study conducted by MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, researchers found that a protein named perlecan plays a crucial role in maintaining th

>In a study conducted by MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, researchers found that a protein named perlecan plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of neurons. Perlecan is part of the extracellular matrix that surrounds cells and helps them develop in a supportive, yet non-rigid environment. The study revealed that, without perlecan, the axons (long projections of neurons used for connection) can break apart during development, leading to the death of synapses (neuronal connections)