Brain cell

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Brain cell
myelin sheath.
Anatomical terms of microanatomy]

Brain cells make up the

glial cells, also known as neuroglia.[1]

Neurons are the

larger brain networks. The two main neuronal classes in the cerebral cortex are excitatory projection neurons (around 70-80%) and inhibitory interneurons (around 20–30%).[2] Neurons are often grouped into a cluster known as a nucleus where they usually have roughly similar connections and functions.[3] Nuclei are connected to other nuclei by tracts of white matter
.

Glia are the supporting cells of the neurons and have many functions not all of which are clearly understood, but include providing support and nutrients to the neurons. Glia are grouped into

ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes, and much smaller microglia. Astrocytes are seen to be capable of communication with neurons involving a signalling process similar to neurotransmission called gliotransmission.[4]

Cell types

Purkinje cells in the cerebellum

Brain cell types are the functional neurons, and supporting glia.

Neurons

Main article: Neuron

dopaminergic neurons and inhibitory GABAergic neurons.[5]

Cortical interneurons only make up around a fifth of the neuronal population but they play a major role in modulating cortical activity needed for cognition and many aspects of learning and memory. Cortical interneurons vary in shape, molecular make-up, and electrophysiology; they function collectively to maintain the balance between excitation and inhibition in the cortex primarily through the use of GABA. Disruption of this balance is a common feature of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. A cause of the disruption can occur in prenatal development through the exposure to chemicals and environment.[6]

In the

Golgi cells
predominate.

Glia

Types of glial cell
Main article: Glia

Glial cells are the supporting cells of the neurons.

macroglia, and the smaller scavenger cells known as microglia. Glial stem cells are found in all parts of the adult brain.[1] Glial cells greatly outnumber neurons and apart from their supporting role to neurons, glia – astrocytes in particular have been acknowledged as being able to communicate with neurons involving a signalling process similar to neurotransmission called gliotransmission.[4] They cannot produce an action potential as generated by a neuron but in their large numbers they can produce chemicals expressing excitability that exert an influence on neural circuitry.[7][4] The star-like shape of the astrocyte allows contact with a great many synapses.[7]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 9780878936953.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
    )
  2. PMID 31212931
    .
  3. ISBN 9780878936953
    .
  4. ^
    PMID 31145508
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 9780123858702.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
    )
  6. PMID 27932026
    .
  7. ^
    S2CID 23182200
    .
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