More pieces of the brain puzzle.
http://www.sciencecodex.com/astrocytes_control_the_generation_of_new_neurons_from_neural_stem_cells-97238
Astrocytes are cells that have many functions in the central nervous
system, such as the control of neuronal synapses, blood flow, or the
brain's response to neurotrauma or stroke.
Reduces brain tissue damage
Prof. Pekny's laboratory together with collaborators have earlier
demonstrated that astrocytes reduce the brain tissue damage after
stroke and that the integration of transplanted neural stem cells can be
largely improved by modulating the activity of astrocytes.
Generation of new neurons
In their current study, the Sahlgrenska Academy researchers show
how astrocytes control the generation of new neurons in the brain. An
important contribution to this project came from Åbo Academy, one of
Sahlgrenska's traditional collaborative partners.
"In the brain, astrocytes control how many new neurons are formed
from neural stem cells and survive to integrate into the existing
neuronal networks. Astrocytes do this by secreting specific molecules
but also by much less understood direct cell-cell interactions with stem
cells", says Prof. Milos Pekny.
Important regulator
"Astrocytes are in physical contact with neural stem cells and we
have shown that they signal through the Notch pathway to stem cells to
keep the birth rate of new neurons low. We have also shown that the
intermediate filament system of astrocytes is an important regulator of
this process. It seems that astrocyte intermediate filaments can be used
as a target to increase the birthrate of new neurons."
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