Your Amazing Glia

More is being figured out about the brain’s glial cells, the one’s I call personal assistants. Each neuron may have as many as nine of these personal assistants, which means that the human brain contains billions and billions more glial cells as compared to the approximate number of 100 billion neurons. These glia are non-electric, which means they cannot be probed in research as can the electrical-signaling neurons. Glial cells were first described in the mid-1800’s but were thought initially to be just connective tissue. Not so. Glia apparently:

·         Sense and control neuronal activity

·         Assist in the formation of memories

·         Play a key role in brain injury

·         May be at the root of some disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Schizophrenia

More tomorrow.