Researchers Discover New Cell Type in the Brain
Published: Wednesday, Sep 6th 2023, 16:40
Mise à jour le : Vendredi, 13 octobre 2023, 14:12
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Swiss brain researchers have discovered a new type of cell. This discovery has overturned the field of neuroscience, according to the University of Lausanne. The two types of brain cells, neurons and glial cells, are hiding a hybrid cell, as the researchers from the University of Lausanne demonstrated in a study published in the journal Nature. The researchers found the previously undiscovered specialized astrocytes in several brain regions in mice and humans. According to the University of Lausanne, these cells facilitate memory and control of movements and prevent epileptic seizures. The discovery opens up new research perspectives, according to the researchers in the statement. In future studies, they intend to test whether this type of cell can protect against memory loss in Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the newly discovered cell type also offers a possible therapeutic approach against Parkinson's disease. Neurons are the basic functional cells of the nervous system and are responsible for information processing and transmission, according to the University of Lausanne. Glial cells are non-neuronal cells that support and protect nerve tissue. Some of these glial cells, the so-called astrocytes, are located in the brain close to the synapses. Synapses are the points where neurons exchange information by releasing neurotransmitters. Therefore, scientists have long believed that astrocytes play an important role in this information transfer. However, previous research results on this topic have been contradictory. The new discovery now ends this long-standing controversy, according to the university. The newly discovered cell type is, according to the researchers, a specialized form of astrocyte. The cells have the characteristics of astrocytes, but also have the molecular machinery required for synaptic transmission.nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
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