The Controller of Humans The Brain - amazonia.fiocruz.br

The Controller of Humans The Brain Video

Confirm. All: The Controller of Humans The Brain

The healthy human brain contains tens of billions of neurons—specialized cells that process and transmit information via electrical and chemical signals.

Fun activities

They send messages between different The Controller of Humans The Brain of the brain, and from the brain to the muscles and organs of the body. Neurons are a major player in the central nervous system, but other cell types are also key to healthy brain function. In fact, glial cells are by far the most numerous cells in the brain, outnumbering neurons by about 10 to 1. These cells, which come in various forms—such as microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes—surround and support the function and healthy of neurons. For example, microglia protect neurons from physical and chemical damage and are responsible for clearing foreign substances and cellular debris from the brain. To carry out these functions, glial cells often collaborate with blood vessels in the brain. Together, glial and blood vessel cells regulate the delicate balance within the brain to ensure that it functions at its best.

The brain typically shrinks to some degree in healthy aging but, surprisingly, does not lose neurons in large numbers. It later affects areas in the cerebral cortex responsible for language, reasoning, and social behavior. Eventually, many other areas of the brain are damaged. Ultimately, the disease is fatal. These changes can be observed in brain tissue under the microscope after death. It is formed from the breakdown of a larger protein, called amyloid precursor protein. One form, beta-amyloid 42, is thought to be especially toxic. Neurofibrillary tangles are abnormal accumulations of a protein called tau that collect inside neurons. Healthy neurons, in part, are supported internally by structures called microtubules, which help guide nutrients and molecules from the cell body to the axon and dendrites.

Navigation menu

In healthy neurons, tau normally binds to and stabilizes microtubules. It appears that abnormal tau accumulates in specific brain regions involved in memory. Beta-amyloid clumps into plaques between neurons.

As the level of beta-amyloid reaches a tipping point, there is a rapid spread of tau throughout the brain. Research suggests that chronic inflammation may be caused by the buildup of glial cells normally meant to help keep the brain free of debris.

Breadcrumb

One type of glial cell, microglia, engulfs and destroys waste and toxins in a healthy brain. One focus of study is a gene called TREM2. Normally, TREM2 tells the microglia cells to clear beta-amyloid plaques from the brain and helps fight inflammation in the brain. In the brains of people where this gene does not function normally, plaques build up between neurons. Astrocytes—another type of glial cell—are signaled to help clear the buildup of plaques and other cellular debris left behind. These microglia and astrocytes collect around the neurons but fail to perform Cohtroller debris-clearing function. In addition, they release chemicals that cause chronic inflammation and further damage the neurons they are meant to protect. Any number of vascular The Controller of Humans The Brain that affect blood vessels, such as beta-amyloid deposits in brain arteries, atherosclerosis hardening of the arteriesand mini-strokes—may also be at Hummans. Vascular problems may lead to reduced blood flow and oxygen to the brain, as well as a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, which usually protects the brain from harmful agents while allowing in glucose and other necessary factors.

This results in inflammation, which adds to vascular problems in the brain. Learn more about Alzheimer's disease from MedlinePlus. ADEAR Center staff answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources. NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date. Key Biological Processes in the Brain Most neurons have three basic parts: Controllef cell body, multiple dendrites, and an axon.]