"Overlooked Brain Cells"

"Overlooked Brain Cells May Have Leading Role"
11-24-13
BY: Geoffrey Mohan

A brain cell that was once thought of as the neuron's sidekick is now being brought up to having a very important role in brain function and development. It is said that these important cells called "astrocytes" have a lead role in the pruning of extra and weak synapses that are links between neurons. During development excess synapses are produce and then pruned back. But neuroscientists explained how some synapses remain but most of them are removed, but they had no explanation for how those excess synapses were being removed. The process of brain trimming has become more clear and most questions are beginning to be answered. It was confirmed in 2001 that without astrocytes neurons are not able to make healthy surviving synapses which are very important links between neurons. If neuroscientists study astrocytes and learn how to control and increase them in critical circumstances then they will be able to prevent certain diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. This could be a way to cure and prevent and other psychiatric diseases that ruin lives of diagnosed people and their families. Neuroscientists are now trying to figure out how to control these astrocytes and make sure that they keep removing weak and useless synapses and stay away from important, useful, and healthy ones. If these cells begin to remove synapses that the adult brain needs then it could be the reason for some unexplained diseases or symptoms.