Mystery of the Human Brain's Glia Cells Solved --Key to Learning & Information Processing
"Glia cells are like the brain's supervisors. By regulating the synapses, they control the transfer of information between neurons, affecting how the brain processes information and learns."
Maurizio De Pittà of Tel Aviv University's Schools of Physics and Astronomy and Electrical Engineering
Scientists have long puzzled over the role of Glia cells in the activities of the brain dedicated to learning and memory. In a new breakthrough, Tel Aviv University researchers say that glia cells are central to how the brain brain adapts, learns, and stores information. Glia cells do much more than hold the brain together, according to De Pitta. A mechanism within the glia cells also sorts information for learning purposes.
De Pittà's research has developed the first computer model that incorporates the influence of glia cells on synaptic information transfer. Detailed in the journal PLoS Computational Biology, the model can also be implemented in technologies based on brain networks such as microchips and computer software, Prof. Ben-Jacob says, and aid in research on brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy.
The brain is constituted of two main types of cells: neurons and glia. Neurons fire off signals that dictate how we think and behave, using synapses to pass along the message from one neuron to another, explains De Pittà. Scientists theorize that memory and learning are dictated by synaptic activity because they are "plastic," with the ability to adapt to different stimuli.
But Ben-Jacob and colleagues suspected that glia cells were even more central to how the brain works. Glia cells are abundant in the brain's hippocampus and the cortex, the two parts of the brain that have the most control over the brain's ability to process information, learn and memorize. In fact, for every neuron cell, there are two to five glia cells. Taking into account previous experimental data, the researchers were able to build a model that could resolve the puzzle.
The brain is like a social network, says Prof. Ben-Jacob. Messages may originate with the neurons, which use the synapses as their delivery system, but the glia serve as an overall moderator, regulating which messages are sent on and when. These cells can either prompt the transfer of information, or slow activity if the synapses are becoming overactive. This makes the glia cells the guardians of our learning and memory processes, he notes, orchestrating the transmission of information for optimal brain function.New brain-inspired technologies and therapies
The team's findings could have important implications for a number of brain disorders. Almost all neurodegenerative diseases are glia-related pathologies, Prof. Ben-Jacob notes. In epileptic seizures, for example, the neurons' activity at one brain location propagates and overtakes the normal activity at other locations. This can happen when the glia cells fail to properly regulate synaptic transmission. Alternatively, when brain activity is low, glia cells boost transmissions of information, keeping the connections between neurons "alive."
The model provides a "new view" of how the brain functions. While the study was in press, two experimental works appeared that supported the model's predictions.
"A growing number of scientists are starting to recognize the fact that you need the glia to perform tasks that neurons alone can't accomplish in an efficient way," says De Pittà.
The model will provide a new tool to begin revising the theories of computational neuroscience and lead to more realistic brain-inspired algorithms and microchips, which are designed to mimic neuronal networks.
De Pittà's research has developed the first computer model that incorporates the influence of glia cells on synaptic information transfer. Detailed in the journal PLoS Computational Biology, the model can also be implemented in technologies based on brain networks such as microchips and computer software, Prof. Ben-Jacob says, and aid in research on brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy.
The brain is constituted of two main types of cells: neurons and glia. Neurons fire off signals that dictate how we think and behave, using synapses to pass along the message from one neuron to another, explains De Pittà. Scientists theorize that memory and learning are dictated by synaptic activity because they are "plastic," with the ability to adapt to different stimuli.
But Ben-Jacob and colleagues suspected that glia cells were even more central to how the brain works. Glia cells are abundant in the brain's hippocampus and the cortex, the two parts of the brain that have the most control over the brain's ability to process information, learn and memorize. In fact, for every neuron cell, there are two to five glia cells. Taking into account previous experimental data, the researchers were able to build a model that could resolve the puzzle.
The brain is like a social network, says Prof. Ben-Jacob. Messages may originate with the neurons, which use the synapses as their delivery system, but the glia serve as an overall moderator, regulating which messages are sent on and when. These cells can either prompt the transfer of information, or slow activity if the synapses are becoming overactive. This makes the glia cells the guardians of our learning and memory processes, he notes, orchestrating the transmission of information for optimal brain function.New brain-inspired technologies and therapies
The team's findings could have important implications for a number of brain disorders. Almost all neurodegenerative diseases are glia-related pathologies, Prof. Ben-Jacob notes. In epileptic seizures, for example, the neurons' activity at one brain location propagates and overtakes the normal activity at other locations. This can happen when the glia cells fail to properly regulate synaptic transmission. Alternatively, when brain activity is low, glia cells boost transmissions of information, keeping the connections between neurons "alive."
The model provides a "new view" of how the brain functions. While the study was in press, two experimental works appeared that supported the model's predictions.
"A growing number of scientists are starting to recognize the fact that you need the glia to perform tasks that neurons alone can't accomplish in an efficient way," says De Pittà.
The model will provide a new tool to begin revising the theories of computational neuroscience and lead to more realistic brain-inspired algorithms and microchips, which are designed to mimic neuronal networks.
Image at top of page shows a network of neurons (in red) and glia cells (in green) grown in a petri dish. Blue dots are the cells' nuclei.
The Daily Galaxy via Tel Aviv University
Image credit: Pablo Blinder/American Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU)
Comments
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I don't think this "solves" the question of what glia is for, and the function of glial cells most likely extends far beyond its use in regulation of synaptic plasticity as it's found all throughout the brain and not just in the hippocampus and frontal lobe.
Thanks for posting the article nevertheless though. :)
Posted by: Mike H. | December 30, 2011 at 09:23 AM
So one has to add five times the equivakent volume of neurons to the total volume of Brain components. How does one understand the physical function of the Glia cells, as compared to the synaptic activity? The Glia seem to, at least partially, belong the quantic area of functions... making decisions... showing initiative. Great, this may be a step that explains how the brain manages to influence, or affect, environmental adequation and some other un explained phenomena.
Posted by: Simon Salosny | December 30, 2011 at 01:29 PM
It would be interesting to establish how the glia manage the control of synaptic action, considering the fact that part of their fuction seems to exist beyond the physical connection; the processes of thought and inherent "feelings/emotions" being abstract,or "quantic" in nature. Same regarding the capacity of influencing areas of the environment, by means of the capabilty of manipulating/creating temporary instances...(while learning to use the brain as a tool). You can use a computer without knowing how it is constructed; more so, when you start using the cloud technology.
Posted by: Simon Salosny | December 31, 2011 at 11:10 AM
If science ever should achieve a complete understanding of the structures and inter relationship of the different functions of the human organism; each of the different, brain related, senses must be completely understood. "Wired Science" just published the following article:
"A Touch of Understanding: Gene Tweak Opens Sensory Black Box"
By Dave Mosher Author (Twitter)
December 29, 2011 | 3:50 pm |
Posted by: Simon Salosny | January 01, 2012 at 11:51 AM