A Comparative Study of the Lipids of the Vertebrate Central Nervous System

1952 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-202
Author(s):  
J. D. McCOLL ◽  
R. J. ROSSITER
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Small Concentration ◽  
Myelin Lipid ◽  
Bony Fishes ◽  
Lower Vertebrates ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Mean Concentration ◽  
Vertebrate Central Nervous System

1. The concentration of water, cerebroside (glycosphingoside), free and total cholesterol, total phospholipin, monoaminophospholipin (phosphoglyceride) and lecithin (phosphatidyl choUne) was determined in the brains of a series of vertebrates, including representatives of the cartilaginous and bony fishes, amphibians, reptiles birds and mammals. From these figures was calculated the concentration of ester cholesterol, sphingomyelin (phosphosphingoside) and kephalin. 2. The brains of each of the species contained a negligibly small concentration of cholesterol ester and, unlike the nervous system of certain invertebrates, the brains of all the species contained some cerebroside. 3. The concentration of each lipid in the brain was very similar for different individuals of the same species, but for various species within one class the mean concentration of many of the lipids differed greatly. 4. The mean concentration of total myelin lipid and that of each of the individual myelin lipids, i.e. cerebroside, cholesterol and sphingomyelin, was greater in the brains of the mammals than in the brains of the lower vertebrates.

A Comparative Study of the Lipids of the Vertebrate Central Nervous System

1952 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-210
Author(s):  
J. D. McCOLL ◽  
R. J. ROSSITER
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Myelin Lipid ◽  
Bony Fishes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Lower Vertebrates ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Mean Concentration ◽  
Vertebrate Central Nervous System

1. The concentration of water, cerebroside (glycosphingoside), free and total cholesterol, total phospholipin, monoaminophospholipin (phosphoglyceride) and lecithin (phosphatidyl choline) was determined in the spinal cords of a series of vertebrates including representatives of the cartilaginous and bony fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. From these figures was calculatedthe concentration of ester cholesterol, sphingomyelin (phosphosphingoside) and kephalin. 2. As was previously found for brain, the spinal cords of each of the species studied contained negligibly small concentrations of cholesterol ester. 3. The concentration of each lipid in the spinal cord was very similar for different individuals of the same species, but for different species within the same class the mean concentration of many of the lipids extended over a wide range. 4. The concentration of total cholesterol, sphingolipid and myelin lipid was greater in the spinal cords of mammals than in the spinal cords of the lower vertebrates. 5. Expressed as a percentage of ‘essential lipid’, the concentration of cerebroside, cholesterol, sphingomyelin, sphingolipid and myelin lipid, but not of lecithin and kephalin, was greater in the spinal cord than in the brain. 6. For the spinal cords of the species studied, the mean concentration of cerebroside expressed as a percentage of ‘essential lipid’ was negatively correlated with the mean concentration of sphingomyelin. 7. The results are discussed in relation to the chemical nature of the lipids of the myelin sheath of a vertebrate nerve fibre.

scholarly journals Tissue S-adenosylmethionine levels in fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) with nitrous oxide-induced neuropathy

1983 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. van der Westhuyzen ◽  
J. Metz
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Fruit Bats ◽  
Fruit Bat ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Mean Concentration

1. The effect of cobalamin inactivation by the anaesthetic gas nitrous oxide on the concentration of S-adenosylmethionine (Ado Met) in brain and liver of fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) was examined.2. Test animals exposed to N2O–oxygen (50:50, v/v) developed ataxia and paralysis leading to death after an average of 9·8 weeks (n 6). Animals receiving pteroylmonoglutamic acid supplements in the diet became ataxic earlier (mean 8·8 weeks) while those receiving methionine supplements survived for significantly longer periods (12·5 weeks, P < 0·01).3. Plasma cobalamin levels indicated severe depletion of cobalamin stores in N2O-exposed animals.4. The mean concentration of Ado Met in the brain of N2O-treated bats was nearly 50% higher than that of untreated controls. Ado Met levels in treated bats receiving pteroylmonoglutamic acid or methionine supplements were respectively 18 and 25% higher than in controls. In contrast, the concentration of Ado Met in the liver of all the N2O-treated groups was slightly lower than in controls.5. These results suggest that the N2O-induced neuropathy in the fruit bat is not related to a depletion of Ado Met in the nervous system.

The unification of neural activity

1968 ◽  
Vol 171 (1024) ◽  
pp. 353-359 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Neural Activity ◽  
Nerve Cells ◽  
General Nature ◽  
Central Importance ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Simple Hypothesis ◽  
Neural Organization ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Brain

In studying the brain, two levels of investigation emerge naturally. One of these concerns itself with properties of nerve cells, their numbers, patterns of firing, interconnexions, and so forth. The other considers the whole nervous system in what one may call ‘macroscopic’ terms. Thus it discusses ‘stimulus’, ‘response’, ‘decision’, etc. At this latter level, the nervous system operates with considerable unity. The individual nerve cells must therefore be linked in a well-integrated manner and the general nature of this integration has been recognized, especially by neurophysiologists such as Sherrington, to present a problem of central importance for our understanding of the brain. In previously published work, I have put forward a theory of how this unification of neural activity might be achieved and of a possible molecular biological basis of the necessary neural organization. In this talk I restrict myself to the first of these and thus give an account of what might be called the basic logic of the unification. I also indicate briefly how a simple hypothesis about the basis of memory would fit into such a theory.

scholarly journals A three-step model of stress management for health leaders

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Hartney
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Stressful Environment ◽  
Step Model ◽  
System Functioning ◽  
Managing Stress ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

The current healthcare system is often as highly stressful environment for patients, their families, and for the employees of the system. Health leaders also experience stress, which can have profound repercussions if not well managed. This article describes the impact of stress on the brain and nervous system functioning of health leaders, then, drawing on evidence from the literature, presents a three-step model for managing stress at the individual, team/organizational, and system levels.

Examining the nervous system of an older patient

2017 ◽  
pp. 865-870
Author(s):  
Henry J. Woodford ◽  
James George
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
White Matter Lesions ◽  
Clinical Situation ◽  
Neurological Assessment ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Power Testing ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Age Related Changes

Ageing is associated with changes in the nervous system, especially the accumulation of neurodegenerative and white matter lesions within the brain. Abnormalities are commonly found when examining older people and some of these are associated with functional impairment and a higher risk of death. In order to reliably interpret examination findings it is important to assess cognition, hearing, vision, and speech first. Clarity of instruction is key. Interpretation of findings must take into account common age-related changes. For example, genuine increased tone should be distinguished from paratonia. Power testing should look for asymmetry within the individual, rather than compare to the strength of the examiner. Parkinsonism should be looked for and gait should be observed. Neurological assessment can incorporate a range of cortical abilities and tests of autonomic function, but the extent of these assessments is likely to be determined by the clinical situation and time available.

Examining the nervous system of an older patient

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry J. Woodford ◽  
James George
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
White Matter Lesions ◽  
Clinical Situation ◽  
Neurological Assessment ◽  
Older Patient ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Power Testing ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Brain

Ageing is associated with changes in the nervous system, especially the accumulation of neurodegenerative and white matter lesions within the brain. Abnormalities are commonly found when examining older people and some of these are associated with functional impairment and a higher risk of death. In order to reliably interpret examination findings it is important to assess cognition, hearing, vision, and speech first. Clarity of instruction is key. Interpretation of findings must take into account common age-related changes. For example, genuine increased tone should be distinguished from paratonia. Power testing should look for asymmetry within the individual, rather than compare to the strength of the examiner. Parkinsonism should be looked for and gait should be observed. Neurological assessment can incorporate a range of cortical abilities and tests of autonomic function, but the extent of these assessments is likely to be determined by the clinical situation and time available.

scholarly journals Network synchronization in hippocampal neurons

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (12) ◽  
pp. 3341-3346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaron Penn ◽  
Menahem Segal ◽  
Elisha Moses
Keyword(s):  
Oscillation Frequency ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Single Neuron ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Network Bursts ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Weak Connectivity ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Brain

Oscillatory activity is widespread in dynamic neuronal networks. The main paradigm for the origin of periodicity consists of specialized pacemaking elements that synchronize and drive the rest of the network; however, other models exist. Here, we studied the spontaneous emergence of synchronized periodic bursting in a network of cultured dissociated neurons from rat hippocampus and cortex. Surprisingly, about 60% of all active neurons were self-sustained oscillators when disconnected, each with its own natural frequency. The individual neuron’s tendency to oscillate and the corresponding oscillation frequency are controlled by its excitability. The single neuron intrinsic oscillations were blocked by riluzole, and are thus dependent on persistent sodium leak currents. Upon a gradual retrieval of connectivity, the synchrony evolves: Loose synchrony appears already at weak connectivity, with the oscillators converging to one common oscillation frequency, yet shifted in phase across the population. Further strengthening of the connectivity causes a reduction in the mean phase shifts until zero-lag is achieved, manifested by synchronous periodic network bursts. Interestingly, the frequency of network bursting matches the average of the intrinsic frequencies. Overall, the network behaves like other universal systems, where order emerges spontaneously by entrainment of independent rhythmic units. Although simplified with respect to circuitry in the brain, our results attribute a basic functional role for intrinsic single neuron excitability mechanisms in driving the network’s activity and dynamics, contributing to our understanding of developing neural circuits.

scholarly journals Glial Cells Promote Myelin Formation and Elimination

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandria N. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Myelin Sheaths ◽  
Local Signaling ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Vertebrate Central Nervous System

Building a functional nervous system requires the coordinated actions of many glial cells. In the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS), oligodendrocytes myelinate neuronal axons to increase conduction velocity and provide trophic support. Myelination can be modified by local signaling at the axon-myelin interface, potentially adapting sheaths to support the metabolic needs and physiology of individual neurons. However, neurons and oligodendrocytes are not wholly responsible for crafting the myelination patterns seen in vivo. Other cell types of the CNS, including microglia and astrocytes, modify myelination. In this review, I cover the contributions of non-neuronal, non-oligodendroglial cells to the formation, maintenance, and pruning of myelin sheaths. I address ways that these cell types interact with the oligodendrocyte lineage throughout development to modify myelination. Additionally, I discuss mechanisms by which these cells may indirectly tune myelination by regulating neuronal activity. Understanding how glial-glial interactions regulate myelination is essential for understanding how the brain functions as a whole and for developing strategies to repair myelin in disease.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Position Sense of the Knee Joint in PatientsWith Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Controls

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saina Aliabadi ◽  
Roya Khanmohammadi ◽  
Gholamrezareza Olyaei ◽  
Nastaran Ghotbi ◽  
Saeed Talebian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Position Sense ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Brain

Introduction: Position sense, one of the most accurate senses in the body, makes everyone aware of the state of the body in space. This sense is an essential ability in maintaining physical health and avoiding injury. Deficits in position sense cause balance impairments in people with mild Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Position sense requires instant and coordinated communication between the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, while in patients with MS, communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. This study aims to compare the position sense of knee joint in people with MS and healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Ten healthy subjects with the Mean±SD age of 27.6±3.71 years and 10 persons with MS disease and the Mean±SD age of 31.40±3.50 years participated in this study. For evaluating their position sense of knee joint, they flexed their knees (from 90 to 45 degrees) four times, and then a software calculated their repositioning errors. Results: No significant changes in repositioning errors (constant, variable, absolute) were observed in MS patients, and the control group (P˃0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that mild MS disease cannot disturb the position sense of knee joint.

scholarly journals The unified theory – Neurology of emotions and how to control them

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-34
Author(s):  
Iype Cherian ◽  
Hira Burhan ◽  
Harshpreet Kaur ◽  
Rupesh Kumar Shreewastav
Keyword(s):  
Visual Analogue Score ◽  
P Value ◽  
Unified Theory ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
Papez Circuit ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Brain

Introduction: The major emotions such as fear, anger, joy and sadness are created through a complex mechanism in the temporal lobe combining data from all the sensory inputs to the brain. However, these emotions may turn into extreme manifestations when the hypothalamus and the autonomic nervous system transform these emotions to panic, rage, orgasm/laughter and grief. The Papez circuit which is at play for this “different turn” may be inactivated or could be over ridden by forebrain activity, that is, sequencing. This probably was the reason to the old adage of counting to ten when one is emotional. In this article, we hope to look at the basis and the neurology behind this and formulate a method to overcome panic.Materials & Methods:A pilot study of 10 children aged 10 -16 was done on 16th October 2017. These children were shown pictures inducing fear and anger. A Visual Analogue Score (VAS) was used to determine the induced emotion. Next, the children were made to do sequencing tasks like mathematical calculations while viewing the similar graphics again. The new score was recorded and the data analyzed.Results: The most frequently recorded VAS (n=4) before sequencing was around 6.0, and between 3.0-3.5 post sequencing. The mean VAS without sequencing was 6.19 ± 0.91, which reduced to 3.65 ± 0.665. On comparing the individual VAS scores before and after sequencing, there was a general trend of a decreased VAS post-sequencing. The results were statistically significant with a p-value <0.05.Conclusion: The study indicated that some form of sequencing while perceiving the fearful or any emotional stimuli might blunt the emotion and may not produce extreme emotions. This would be an extremely interesting and useful piece of information for many who are in cutting edge professions and competitive sports. However, much study needs to be performed to further validate this initial conclusion.Journal of Nobel Medical CollegeVolume 6, Number 2, Issue 11 (July-December, 2017) Page:29-34

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