Microglia Essay

Answer 1: Glial cells are cells that surround neurons and provide support for and insulation between them. Glial cells are also the most abundant cells in the central nervous system. Types of glial cells include oligodendrocytes, which have processes that form the myelin sheaths around CNS nerve fibers, astrocytes the most abundant CNS neuroglia, ependymal cells that line cerebrospinal fluid cavities, microglia cells that are the defensive cells in the CNS, schwann cells and satellite cells, which form myelin sheaths around CNS never fibers.

I started my education in Erie, Pennslyviana.I attend McDowell High. I would say that we were one of the richer schools were I live. I am going to talk about my first assignment Brainology. I thought it was very interesting and it thought me a lot about how some people have different mindsets.

The central nervous system (CNS) comprises grey matter, which contains neuron cell bodies and white matter, which contains the nerve axons. Most of the nerve axons are concentrically wrapped around by lipid-rich biological membrane, known as the myelin sheath. In the CNS, myelin is produced by oligodendrocyte. a type of glial cell. (Pfeiffer et al., 1993). These electrical insulating, multilamellar membranes significantly increase the electrical resistance, in which to prevent leakage of electrical currents from the axons, as well as decrease electrical capacitance to reduce the ability of the axons to store electrical energy (Shivane &

2010). The neuroinflammation is an early, non-specific immune reaction to tissue damage or pathogen invasion (Lee et al. 2010). Inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) is characterized by increased glial activation, pro-inflammatory cytokine concentration, blood-brain-barrier permeability, and leukocyte invasion (Lee et al. 2010). Microglia are cells that support and protect neuronal functions (Lee at al. 2010). They act as the first and main form of active immune defense that orchestrate the endogenous immune response of the Central Nervous System. The microglia play a central role in the cellular response to pathological lesions such as Aβ. Aβ can attract and activate microglia, leading to clustering of microglia around Aβ deposits sites in the brain (Lee et al. 2010). Even though microglia have neuroprotective functions, neurotoxic mechanisms which involves continuous activation of microglia and toxic factors are released by microglia, which may lead to neuroinflammation (Lee et al. 2010). Astrocytes (star-shaped glial cells) are the most abundant cells in the brain and are located in the brain and spinal. Astrocytes have various functions such as: biochemical support of endothelial cells of the BBB, supplying nutrients to the nervous tissue, maintenance of extracellular ion balance, and healing the brain and spinal cord following traumatic injury (Lee et al., 2010). Chemokines are released by astrocytes which attract microglia and they further express proinflammatory products, thus increasing neuronal damage in the pathogenesis of AD (Lee et al., 2010). Astrocytes play a critical role in Aß clearance and degradation, and they also provide trophic support to neurons forming a protective barrier between Aß deposits and neurons (Wyss-Coray et al., 2003). Neurons contribute to the production of

There are four different patterns of inflammation in the white matter that is associated with individuals with multiple sclerosis (Lassmann et. al. 2007).The first pattern of inflammation is associated with the demyelination caused by macrophage activity. This pattern of inflammation is characterized by perivascular demyelination with radial expansion and extensive remyelination. The second pattern of inflammation demyelination is associated with antibody and complement activity. The lesions exhibited in this pattern are similar to lesions that occur in the first pattern except that the active demyelination sites demonstrate additional deposition of immunoglobulin (Ig) and activated complement in pattern 2. Immunoglobulins are antibodies that

Throughout history, many societies across the world have tended to banish people with mental disorders from the mainstream. Even today individuals with psychopathologies experience additional social handicaps and distress as a result of prejudice. Yet, according to statistics, one out of four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.

Inflammation is a reaction of tissues in response to any injury the human or vertebrae sustains. Neuroinflammation is the inflammatory response by the glial cells that are present in the nervous system along with neurons. It is an immune response to pathogen invasion or tissue damage most likely to be caused by Infectious bacteria, Traumatic brain injury (TBI), or toxic metabolites. The nervous system contains neurons and glial cells composed of astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells in the Central nervous system (CNS), and Schwann cells, satellite cells in Peripheral nervous system (PNS). The glial cells are non-neuronal cells that help to form myelin, maintain homeostasis, provide support for neurons with nutrients, destroy

The life of a human being is defined not only by their own definition by character

Shrinkage in parts of the brain such as the cortex and hippocampus, affects functions such as remembering, planning and even thinking. The remaining tissue contains plaque, abnormal clusters of protein fragments, between surviving nerve cells. This plague can block cell-to-cell signaling at synapses and activate immune system cells that trigger inflammation while devouring disabled cells. The dead and dying nerve cells contains tangles, which are made up of twisted strands of another protein. Tangles destroy a vital cell transport made of proteins, which block nutrients and other essential supplies from reaching cells, which then die. The progression of Alzheimer’s disease follows the spreading of plaque and tangles throughout the brain. The escalation damage areas of the brain that involve speaking and understanding speech and also the sense of where a body is in relation to surrounding objects. In severe cases of Alzheimer’s, where the cortex is intensively damaged, the brain shrinks so dramatically due to widespread cell death that individuals lose the ability to communicate, recognize loved ones, and care for

The PBS special "The Secret Life of the Brain" took us through all different aspects of the brain and its formation through life. These five movies taught us that the brain is plastic and is always changing, cutting unused neurons and filling with different ideas and thoughts that you learn from your environment. The five videos go through the five stages of life; baby, child, teenager, adult and finally the aging brain.

Glial cells are the most numerous cells in the brain, outnumbering neurons nearly 3:1, although smaller and some lacking axonal and dendritic projections. Once thought to play a subpar role to neurons, glial cells are now recognized as responsible for much greater functions. There are many types of glial cells, including: oligodendrocytes, microglia, and astrocytes. Oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheath in the CNS, by wrapping themselves around the axons of neurons. Their PNS counterpart, Schwann cells, are also considered glial cells. This sheath insulates the axon and increases the speed of transmission, analogous to the coating on electrical wires. Microglia are considered to be “immune system-like”; removing viruses, fungi, and other wastes that are present. Astrocytes, however, are considered to be the most prominent. Their functions span throughout the brain, including, but not limited to: the synchronization of axonal transmission via G-protein-coupled receptors, blood flow regulation via the dilation of blood vessels, and the performance of reactive gliosis in conjunction with microglia. Both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes develop from neuroepithelial cells. Other types of glial cells include Radial glia, which direct immature neuron migration during development.

The homeostasis of the brain depends heavily on efficient energy metabolism. A number of studies have shown the role of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, NF-κB, and proinflammatory cytokines play a key role in the impairment central nervous system function, thereby leading to the development of several neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. Although not much emphasizes has been made in understanding the role of neural-immune aspect of inflammatory mediators and leukocytes infiltration in the development of glioblastoma. Therefore, understanding the role of choroid plexus and leukocytes infiltration and its association with energy metabolism in cancer will lead us in understanding the role of neural-immune interaction in the development of glioblastoma. Dr. Ellora Sen’s research work has caught my attention with her work on neuroinflammation and metabolism in glioblastoma. I believe my previous research experience in working in the area of neuroimmunology, metabolism and cancer make me a suitable candidate for this position and I would enjoy the opportunity to work in this project

In the primary research article given to us titled “Complement and microglia mediate early synapse loss in Alzheimer mouse models” it talks about a study about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease in mice. Alzheimer’s is believed to be caused by multiple factors. One of these are called complement proteins. According to the University of Washington, they are a group of around 20 different proteins that assist with fighting infections. Complement proteins are found in our blood and they assist in fighting infections in various ways. Some of these proteins bind to the surface of a pathogen were antibodies are already present to make sure that the pathogen is phagocytized. Other proteins cause histamines to be released or act as a signal to draw phagocytes to the pathogens. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, C3 is a type of complement protein that is vital to the activation of the entire complement system. C1q is another complement protein that it is a piece of the classical pathway for the activation of the complement system. According to the The Green Lab at the University of California Irvine, macroglia are the immune cells of the central nervous system. Their functions include removing bacteria and unwanted materials from the brain. In order to combat neurological damage and inflammations they have to be activated first. According to the Alzheimer 's Association, Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes a steady decline in brain functions such as

The over the counter medication once known only for its ability of easing aches and pains or fighting off fever and inflammation is proving itself to be quite the miracle drug. Aspirin has become part of the protocol for stroke victims as a preventative measure due to its neuro-protective benefits. Stroke can cause lesions in cerebral white matter, which may result in cognitive impairments such as deficits in learning and memory. White matter lesions (WML) have also been linked to increasing the risk of post-stroke dementia. Cerebral white matter damage has been widely overlooked. Comprised of oligodendrocytes that form the insulating myelin in the CNS, white matter is evidentially just as vulnerable to ischemia as gray matter.

What would you do if you had brain disease? The brain is the most important part of the human body. Without it, you would not be able to think, and more importantly, you would be dead. Two serious brain diseases are brain tumors and Alzheimer’s disease. A brain tumor is a massive growth of abnormal cells in the brain. There are many types of brain tumors. Some may be benign, which is noncancerous, or they may be malignant, which is cancerous (Brain Tumor). Alzheimer's disease is an unstoppable brain disease that gradually damages one's memory and thinking. Eventually, the ability to do simple tasks everyday even becomes destroyed. For most people, Alzheimer's disease show after the age of 60. This is known as late onset AD. Early onset is