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Neuron

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A neuron (pronounced /ˈnjʊərɒn/ N(Y)OOR-on, also known as a neurone or nerve cell) is an excitable cell in the nervous system that processes and transmits information by electrochemical signalling. Neurons are the core components of the brain, the vertebrate spinal cord, the invertebrate ventral nerve cord, and the peripheral nerves. A number of specialized types of neurons exist: sensory neurons respond to touch, sound, light and numerous other stimuli affecting cells of the sensory organs that then send signals to the spinal cord and brain. Motor neurons receive signals from the brain and spinal cord and cause muscle contractions and affect glands. Interneurons connect neurons to other neurons within the same region of the brain or spinal cord. Neurons respond to stimuli, and communicate the presence of stimuli to the central nervous system, which processes that information and sends responses to other parts of the body for action. Neurons do not go through mitosis, and usually cannot be replaced after being destroyed, although astrocytes have been observed to turn into neurons as they are sometimes pluripotent.

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Scientists discover how the brain encodes memories at a cellular level

Scientists discover how the brain encodes memories at a cellular level

Medicine & Health / Research

created 2 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have made a major discovery in how the brain encodes memories. The finding, published in the December 24 issue of the journal Neuron, could eventually lead to the development ...


Synergistic interaction enhances pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

Electronics /

created 1hour ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scientists have identified a synergistic interaction that disrupts normal intracellular transport mechanisms and leads to the accumulation of neuron-damaging clumps of protein associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative ...


Up a little on the left... now, over to the right... Scientists find a source of nonallergic itch

Medicine & Health / Research

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Scratching below the surface of a troublesome sensation that's equal parts tingle-tickle-prickle, sensory scientists from Johns Hopkins have discovered in mice a molecular basis for nonallergic itch.





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Researchers crack part of the neuronal code

Researchers crack part of the neuronal code

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (7) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Prostheses for paralysed patients, communication with patients who have lost all capacity for normal communication - the hopes for modern brain research are high. However, such brain-machine ...


Growing evidence suggests progesterone should be considered a treatment option for traumatic brain injuries

Medicine & Health / Research

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, recommend that progesterone (PROG), a naturally occurring hormone found in both males and females that can protect damaged cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems, ...


New human reproductive hormone could lead to novel contraceptives

New human reproductive hormone could lead to novel contraceptives

Medicine & Health / Research

created 23 hours ago | popularity 4.5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Nearly 10 years after the discovery that birds make a hormone that suppresses reproduction, University of California, Berkeley, neuroscientists have established that humans make it too, opening ...


Sniffing out clues to dogs' compulsive behavior

Sniffing out clues to dogs' compulsive behavior

Biology / Biotechnology

created 21 hours ago | popularity 3.8 / 5 (4) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- At first glance, a dog chasing its tail seems a harmless, if fruitless, pursuit. But for many dogs and their owners, the habit has a dark side, one that means endless hours and energy spent ...



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