News tagged with nervous system

Complex wiring of the nervous system may rely on a just a handful of genes and proteins

Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a startling feature of early brain development that helps to explain how complex neuron wiring patterns are programmed using just a handful of critical genes. ...

Medicine & Health / Research

created Feb 10, 2012 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (11) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Drug halts organ damage in inflammatory genetic disorder

A new study shows that Kineret (anakinra), a medication approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is effective in stopping the progression of organ damage in people with neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease ...

Medicine & Health / Medications

created Feb 10, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Obesity is associated with altered brain function

In most western countries the annual increase in the prevalence and the severity of obesity is currently substantial. Although obesity typically results simply from excessive energy intake, it is currently ...

Medicine & Health / Research

created Feb 09, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

Neurons from stem cells could replace mice in botulinum test

(PhysOrg.com) -- Using lab-grown human neurons, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have devised an effective assay for detecting botulinum neurotoxin, the agent widely used to cosmetically smooth the wrinkles ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Feb 06, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Making the worms turn

To biophysicist Aravinthan Samuel, the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans provides a pathway to understanding the brain and nervous system, first of the worm, then of higher animals, and even, perhaps, of humans.

Biology / Biotechnology

created Feb 03, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Football findings suggest concussions caused by series of hits

A two-year study of high school football players suggests that concussions are likely caused by many hits over time and not from a single blow to the head, as commonly believed.

Medicine & Health / Health

created Feb 02, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Study of fruit fly sleep reveals a genetic basis of insomnia

(Medical Xpress) -- On the surface, it’s simple: when night falls, our bodies get sleepy. But behind the scenes, a series of complex molecular events, controlled by our genes, is hard at work to make ...

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created Jan 30, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study identifies blood-forming stem cells' growth

Scientists with the new Children's Research Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified the environment in which blood-forming stem cells survive and thrive within the body, an important step toward increasing ...

Medicine & Health / Research

created Jan 25, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Research reveals power of the subconscious in human fear

The human subconscious has a bigger impact than previously thought on how we respond to danger, according to research led by the University of Exeter. Published today, the study shows that our primitive response to fear can ...

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

created Jan 18, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Carbon dioxide affecting fish brains: study

Rising human carbon dioxide emissions may be affecting the brains and central nervous systems of sea fish, with serious consequences for their survival, according to new research.

Space & Earth / Environment

created Jan 16, 2012 | popularity 4.1 / 5 (15) | comments 15

Quantitative imaging application to gut and ear cells

From tracking activities within bacteria to creating images of molecules that make up human hair, several experiments have already demonstrated the unique abilities of the revolutionary imaging technique called multi-isotope ...

Medicine & Health / Research

created Jan 15, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Breakthrough model reveals evolution of ancient nervous systems through seashell colors

Determining the evolution of pigmentation patterns on mollusk seashells—which could aid in the understanding of ancient nervous systems—has proved to be a challenging feat for researchers. Now, however, through ...

Biology / Evolution

created Jan 12, 2012 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 3 | with audio podcast

Study clarifies link between salt and hypertension

A review article by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) debunks the widely-believed concept that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the result of excess salt causing an increased blood volume, ...

Medicine & Health / Health

created Jan 11, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Cosmetic chemical hinders brain development in tadpoles

Scientists, health officials, and manufacturers already know that a chemical preservative found in some products, including cosmetics, is harmful to people and animals in high concentrations, but a new Brown ...

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created Jan 10, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 6 | with audio podcast

Hopes for reversing age-associated effects in MS patients

New research highlights the possibility of reversing ageing in the central nervous system for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The study is published today, 06 January, in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

Medicine & Health / Research

created Jan 06, 2012 | popularity 1.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Nervous system

The nervous system is a network of specialized cells that communicate information about an organism's surroundings and itself. It processes this information and causes reactions in other parts of the body. It is composed of neurons and other specialized cells called glial cells,(plural form glia), that aid in the function of the neurons. The nervous system is divided broadly into two categories: the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system. Neurons generate and conduct impulses between and within the two systems. The peripheral nervous system is composed of sensory neurons and the neurons that connect them to the nerve cord, spinal cord and brain, which make up the central nervous system. In response to stimuli, sensory neurons generate and propagate signals to the central nervous system which then processes and conducts signals back to the muscles and glands. The neurons of the nervous systems of animals are interconnected in complex arrangements and use electrochemical signals and neurotransmitters to transmit impulses from one neuron to the next. The interaction of the different neurons form neural circuits regulate an organism's perception of the world and what is going on with its body, thus regulating its behavior. Nervous systems are found in many multicellular animals but differ greatly in complexity between species.

For more information about Nervous system, read the full article at Wikipedia.
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