Source: Medical Xpress
It’s only during the last few decades that neuroglia, a diverse group of cells found in the brain that perform a variety of functions to support neurons, have been the subject of research. Prior to that, brain research focused heavily on the role of neurons.
But as investigations continue, scientists increasingly suspect that these cells, often called glia cells or “nerve glue,” may play an important role in psychiatric illnesses, such as depression and schizophrenia.
“When we think of the brain we’re usually thinking about neurons, but that’s only about 50% of what makes up the brain,” says Sukumar Vijayaraghavan, Ph.D., professor of physiology and biophysics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who works at the intersection of neuroscience and society and previously led a lab dedicated to studying the brain’s signaling mechanisms.
The other cells, neuroglia, were believed to function as the brain’s janitorial staff, keeping the environment appropriate for optimal neuronal signaling. Then, scientists discovered that neuroglia have their own signaling system different from the electrical signals neurons give off. Glia cells have calcium signals.
To learn more, read the full article.
By: Kara Mason, CU Anschutz Medical Campus
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