Transcript nerves and glials - Central Connecticut State University

New Hope for Hurt Neurons
• Is there recovery after damage to the spinal
cord or brain?
• Can stem cells be used to reconstruct
broken pathways?
• A few years ago, the stuff of myths.
• Perhaps a reality
Christopher Reeve as Superman
Christopher Reeve Paralysis
Foundation
www.paralysis.org
Reeve’s Goal
To Stand and Raise a Glass
on 50th Birthday.
9/25/2002
Traditional Divisions
KW 2-13
Functional Divisions
KW 2-13
CNS and
PNS
KW 1-2
Brain in Skull
KW 2-1
CNS and PNS (sketch)
Brain
Spinal cord
Nerves (PNS)
Skull
Vertebrae
Neurons and Glial Cells
KW 2-12
Neuron
KW 3-3
Types of
Neurons
KW 3-7
Neuron
(detail)
KW 3-5
Neuron
(info flow)
KW 3-6
Types of Glial
Cells
KW 3-1
Glial Cell Functions
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Supportive glial = glue
Nutrition
Waste disposal “vacuum cleaners”
Insulate neurons
Neurons vs Glial Cells
• Neurons
• Transmit message.
• Mature cells don’t
replicate.
• Dead cells are not
replaced.
• Glial cells
• Supportive role.
• Mature cells do
replicate.
• Dead cells are
replaced.
CNS and PNS Myelin
Astrocyte
KW 3-9
Myelin Wrap
CNS
PNS
Myelin Sheath in PNS
Schwann Cells in PNS
Axon
Myelin Sheath
Schwann cell beakdown
KW 3-11
Schwann Cell Recovery
KW 3-11
Combo Schwann
KW 3-11
Can axons regrow in CNS?
• Yes, but their path is blocked by CNS Glial
Cells.
• CNS Glial cells (Oligodendrocytes) form
scar tissue.
• Pathway is blocked by scar tissue.
scar
CNS Solutions
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•
•
Block scar tissue from forming.
Schwann cell bridges (Lars Olson).
Spinal motor pathways cut in rats.
Loss control of hind limbs.
Other CNS Solutions
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•
•
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Nerve growth factors.
Stem cell implants.
Quick response to spinal cord injury.
“Golden Hour” = first hour after injury.
Prevent further damage.
Rapid Response to Injury
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•
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Steroids to reduce swelling.
Provide support.
Cord usually not severed.
Relieve pressure.
Stabilize vertebrae.
Recovery from injury
• Drugs to help remaining neurons function
better.
• Retrain body to use back-up systems.
• Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): a
computer assisted movement system
Functional Electrical Stimulation
Hand Grasp in Operation
Spinal Cord Outcomes
• 12,000 new cases a
year
• Most young men.
• 90% survive accident.
• Lifetime disability
• Greater hope for
recovery.