Electron microscope images of the neuronal protein, Arc, forming structures that resemble those typically associated with viral capsids. From: The Neuronal Gene Arc Encodes a Repurposed Retrotransposon Gag Protein that Mediates Intercellular RNA Transfer. Pastuzyn, Elissa D. et al. Cell , Volume 172 , Issue 1 , 275 - 288.e18

If I ask you to visualize a butterfly, what kind of an experience do you have? How clearly do you see it, if you see it at all?

This is the first "NeuroByte" episode, where Bo and Ian discuss multiple topics without diving quite as deeply into the details. This week, we discuss a recent discovery that neurons appear to be capable of trading genetic material to one another, representing a novel mechanism by which neurons can communicate information to one another. Next, we discuss a poorly understood possible condition termed "aphantasia", a condition characterizing individuals who are entirely incapable of visualizing an imagined image - a population of people among whom Ian may well be counted.

Primary reading:

1. Pastuzyn ED, Day CE, Kearns RB, Kyrke-Smith M, Taibi AV, McCormick J, Yoder N, Belnap DM, Erlendsson S, Morado DR, Briggs JAG, Feschotte C, Shepherd JD. The Neuronal Gene Arc Encodes a Repurposed Retrotransposon Gag Protein that Mediates Intercellular RNA Transfer. Cell. 2018 Jan 11;172(1-2):275-288.e18. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.12.024. PubMed PMID: 29328916.
2. Zeman A, Dewar M, Della Sala S. Lives without imagery - Congenital aphantasia. Cortex. 2015 Dec;73:378-80. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2015.05.019. Epub 2015 Jun 3. PubMed PMID: 26115582.