Scientists may have just found the real key to intelligence inside our mitochondria.
And no, it’s not microtubules.
It’s something eerily similar: Dynamin.
And no, it’s not microtubules.
It’s something eerily similar: Dynamin.
Dynamin (esp. Drp1) is a GTP-powered protein that self-assembles into rings around mitochondria.
Think of it as a molecular lasso that squeezes and divides our energy factories.
Think of it as a molecular lasso that squeezes and divides our energy factories.
Every time a neuron learns, mitochondria must deliver bursts of energy & calcium at synapses.
Dynamin is the switch that decides when & where mitochondria split to meet those demands.
Dynamin is the switch that decides when & where mitochondria split to meet those demands.
Without Dynamin?
Mitochondria become sluggish webs, unable to respond quickly.
With too much Dynamin?
They fragment into chaos.
Intelligence lives in the balance.
Mitochondria become sluggish webs, unable to respond quickly.
With too much Dynamin?
They fragment into chaos.
Intelligence lives in the balance.
Here’s the wild part: Dynamin proteins use GTP, just like microtubules.
They form helices, contract, and process information about cell state before making a “decision.”
They form helices, contract, and process information about cell state before making a “decision.”
In other words, Dynamin doesn’t just cut membranes.
It’s acting like a processing unit inside mitochondria.
A control node between energy, signaling, and survival.
It’s acting like a processing unit inside mitochondria.
A control node between energy, signaling, and survival.
During memory formation, neurons increase Dynamin-driven fission.
This redistributes mitochondria to active synapses, fueling long-term potentiation (LTP).
This is your IQ we're talking about here, folks.
ejnmmires.springeropen.com/articles/10.11…
This redistributes mitochondria to active synapses, fueling long-term potentiation (LTP).
This is your IQ we're talking about here, folks.
ejnmmires.springeropen.com/articles/10.11…
Block Dynamin?
Mice literally fail to form memories.
Even if mitochondria are still there.
They just can’t “power up” the synapses in time.
Mice literally fail to form memories.
Even if mitochondria are still there.
They just can’t “power up” the synapses in time.
Diseases like Alzheimer’s show abnormal Dynamin activity.
Mitochondria fragment excessively, synapses weaken, cognition slips.
Mitochondria fragment excessively, synapses weaken, cognition slips.
Flip side: boosting healthy Dynamin activity in midlife fruit flies extends lifespan.
Quality control + energy tuning = longevity.
Quality control + energy tuning = longevity.
Like microtubules, Dynamin is full of aromatic amino acids like tryptophan.
These residues are theorized to support exotic quantum effects. Just like in Microtubules !
Speculative? Yes. Intriguing? Absolutely.
These residues are theorized to support exotic quantum effects. Just like in Microtubules !
Speculative? Yes. Intriguing? Absolutely.
So imagine:
Microtubules = the “roads” of the neuron.
Dynamin helices = the power grid switches inside each mitochondrion.
Both are GTP-fueled, both reshape cellular infrastructure.
Microtubules = the “roads” of the neuron.
Dynamin helices = the power grid switches inside each mitochondrion.
Both are GTP-fueled, both reshape cellular infrastructure.
Neurons can’t think without power.
And power isn’t just generated—it’s allocated.
Dynamin may be the hidden operator deciding which synapses get juice to fire and remember.
And power isn’t just generated—it’s allocated.
Dynamin may be the hidden operator deciding which synapses get juice to fire and remember.
A humble GTPase, forming a tiny helix, might be the unseen architect of cognition.
Not mystical. Not magical.
Just beautifully engineered biology.
Not mystical. Not magical.
Just beautifully engineered biology.
So next time you think about intelligence…
Don’t just picture neurons firing.
Picture a tiny Dynamin ring, hugging a mitochondrion, deciding where thought itself can happen.
lol
Don’t just picture neurons firing.
Picture a tiny Dynamin ring, hugging a mitochondrion, deciding where thought itself can happen.
lol
Thanks for reading !
I have a more in-depth article on all of this and more !
Lots of citations and down to earth explanations, this stuff seems important, and it's pretty cool !
I have a more in-depth article on all of this and more !
Lots of citations and down to earth explanations, this stuff seems important, and it's pretty cool !
https://x.com/SterlingCooley/status/1959008196548600186
And do my a favor, RT and QT the the top of this thread, so more people can see this.
Tell 'em Sterling is up to his mad scientist research again :D
Tell 'em Sterling is up to his mad scientist research again :D
https://x.com/SterlingCooley/status/1959026088425750901
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
