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Nervous system

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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.

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News tagged with nervous system


Protein link may be key to new treatment for aggressive brain tumor

Protein link may be key to new treatment for aggressive brain tumor

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created 49 minutes ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Biomedical researchers at the University of Central Florida have found a protein that could hold the key to treating one of the most common and aggressive brain tumors in adults.


Clinical Trial Examines Drug?s Potential for Protecting the Optic Nerve

Clinical Trial Examines Drug's Potential for Protecting the Optic Nerve

Medicine & Health / Research

created 19 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Acute optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve, doesn't occur all that often. But for those who experience it, the vision loss, pain and nerve damage that often result are no small ...





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We now know that the brain controls the formation of bone

Medicine & Health / Research

created 2 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

The brain acts as a profound regulatory centre, controlling myriad processes throughout the body in ways we are only just beginning to understand. In new findings, Australian scientists have shown surprising connections between ...


Discovering addiction clues could help smokers kick the habit

Discovering addiction clues could help smokers kick the habit

Medicine & Health / Health

created 23 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- If you've ever tried to quit smoking, understanding how you got hooked in the first place probably seems irrelevant. But University of Nebraska-Lincoln psychologist Rick Bevins believes those ...


Dutch researchers explore advanced brain diagnostic techniques

Dutch researchers explore advanced brain diagnostic techniques

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created Dec 21, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0

At present the task of diagnosing brain disorders using electroencephalography (EEG) is still performed by humans, but in years to come it will increasingly be taken over by computerized systems. This will ...


The world's next economic hot spot?

The world's next economic hot spot?

Other Sciences / Economics

created 22 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- A bailout by neighboring emirate Abu Dhabi has apparently stabilized Dubai’s financial crisis. But the longer-term economic impact—on Dubai and other nations—could grow more serious.



List of search results for nervous system