New Delhi: Have you ever heard of something that your brain starts eating its own connections and worn-out cells? Feels like it can only happen to the zombies in the parallel world right? However, scientists have made a huge discovery of how insufficient sleep allows the brain to go zombie on itself. An old study says that if you do not sleep enough, you may expose yourself to unthinkable consequences. This can lead your brain to eat up its connections, worn-out cells and debris.
According to scientists, lack of sleep may increase the risk of neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s. For the study, the researchers looked at a type of cell in the brain called glial cells also called astrocytes which prune unnecessary synapses in the brain to remodel its wiring. Synapse is a term which is used when a nerve impulse is transmitted from one neuron to another via junctions. Let’s understand the brain structure a little more deeply:
How many neurons are there in the human brain?
A neuron has three major parts. The cell body directs all the activities of the neuron. The next is dendrites which extend out from the cell body and receive the messages from the other nerve cells. Third, an axon is a long single fibre that spreads the messages from the cell body to the dendrites of other neurons or other body tissues like muscles.
Which part of a neuron receives and conducts impulses?
The dendrites of a neuron are the first ones to receive electrical impulses in the brain. The cell body is also known as the soma which is the spherical part of the neuron that contains the nucleus. This cell body then connects to the dendrites which bring information to the neuron and the axon, which sends information to other neurons.
Studies have revealed that our brain is responsible for controlling most of our body’s activities. Its information-processing capabilities are those which allow us to learn and it is the central repository of our memories. How are memories formed?
Research has found that our memories might be located in the membranes of neurons.
What are meninges?
Our brain is protected by three layers of membranes known as the meninges and the spinal cord. The delicate inner layer is called the pia mater. The middle layer is the arachnoid, a web-like structure filled with fluid that cushions the brain. The toughest membrane layer is called the dura mater.
Which layer of the meninges is closest to the brain?
You may also think about which meningeal layer is the closest to the brain. The closest membrane layer to the brain is called the ‘pia mater’ which is also called the tender matter. This layer works as a connective tissue and has many tiny blood vessels.
According to scientists, lack of sleep may increase the risk of neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s. For the study, the researchers looked at a type of cell in the brain called glial cells also called astrocytes which prune unnecessary synapses in the brain to remodel its wiring Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
