Treatment of various neurological conditions is extensively studied by researchers and looks like we might have a glimmer of hope there. A new study suggests that its findings could have profound implications for disorders including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and glioma. Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have uncovered discoveries related to the function of a previously little-understood junction in the brain. The study, set to be published in the journal Nature Neuroscience on January 12, delves into the synaptic connections between neurons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), according to Sci-Tech Daily.
Imagine your brain is like a network of wires, and these scientists were interested in studying the connections between the wires. They focused on a particular type of connection called synapses, which link regular brain cells to special helper cells known as OPCs. These OPCs can turn into cells called oligodendrocytes. Now, think of oligodendrocytes as something that wraps the wires in your brain with a protective coating called myelin.
Why is myelin important? Well, it’s like the insulation around electrical wires. It helps messages in your brain travel quickly and smoothly. So, these scientists wanted to figure out how these connections and the production of myelin work together to make sure your brain messages can travel without any hiccups. It’s like understanding how the network in your brain stays in top-notch condition.
The existence of synapses between neurons and OPCs was initially discovered by OHSU researchers at the Vollum Institute in 2000. This big discovery changed what scientists thought they knew about how brain connections work. Before, they believed synapses only passed messages between nerve cells using things called neurotransmitters. But now, with this breakthrough, they found out that synapses can also connect nerve cells with OPCs.
In this recent study, scientists used a special technique to look at live tissue in a transparent zebrafish. It’s like having a clear window into the inner workings of the fish’s central nervous system. This helped researchers see how neurons connect with OPCs, the special helper cells, and understand how they work together to form myelin—the protective coating around nerve cells. This way of studying things gave scientists a special chance to learn more about how these cells function in a normal, developing brain.
Senior author Kelly Monk, PhD, a professor and co-director of the Vollum Institute at OHSU, emphasised to Sci-Tech Daily that this study is the first investigation of these synapses in live tissue. The research sheds light on the basic function of these synapses, laying the foundation for future exploration into their role in various neurological conditions.
The study’s findings suggest that these synapses play a pivotal role in the production of myelin. Lead author Jiaxing Li, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Monk’s lab, highlighted the potential implications for conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS). In MS, the degradation of myelin can impede essential electric signals, affecting vision, muscle movement, sensations, and cognitive functions.
Li suggested that understanding the function of these synapses could lead to new methods of regulating OPC function to alter the progression of diseases like MS. By intervening and promoting remyelination, researchers may find ways to mitigate the impact of myelin degradation in neurological disorders.
The study’s immediate relevance extends to cancer, particularly glioma—a type of brain cancer. Monk pointed out that in glioma, these synapses are taken over and used to make the tumour grow. However, there’s hope in the idea of controlling the signals in these connections without messing up the normal signals in the brain. This could open up new possibilities for treating cancer in the future.
While OPCs make up approximately 5 percent of all brain cells, only a fraction go on to form oligodendrocytes. Monk emphasised that these precursor cells likely have other essential functions in the brain beyond forming oligodendrocytes.
The study conducted by OHSU researchers represents a significant step forward in understanding the role of neuron-OPC synapses in the brain. The potential applications for treating neurological conditions, from MS to glioma, highlight the importance of continued research in this field.
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