Cells of

the
Nervous
System
 2 Types of Cells in NS
Nerve Cells Glial Cells
(Neurons) (Glia)

Electrical Signaling Supportive

Communicate with other cells No signaling (90%)
Finding the stars: the history of glia
The early virtue of recognizing glia
Rudolf Virchow

Hitherto, gentlemen, in considering the nervous system, I have

only spoken of the really nervous parts of it. But if we would
study the nervous system in its real relations in the body, it is
extremely important to have a knowledge of that substance
also which lies between the proper nervous parts, holds them
together and gives the whole its form in a greater or lesser
degree.
Hand-drawn picture of
cells in the CNS
The famous Golgi stain

Camillo Golgi (1843-1926)

 Carl Schleich
envisioned glial
modulation of
neurotransmission
 Cajal: the father of
modern neuroscience

Santiago Ramon y Cajal (1852-1934)

 Glia – Supporting Cells

Glia vs Neurons:

Amount: 10-50X more than neurons

Smaller: 1/10 size of neurons

Neurons have 2 "processes" (axons & dendrites)…glial

cells: 1
Neurons CAN generate electrical
conduction...glial cells: NO?

Neurons HAVE synapses

(neurotransmitters)...glial cells: NO
The classification
Another view
Central Neuroglia
Astrocyte
protoplasmic, radial, or fibrous
Oligodendrocyte
perineuronal satellite or interfascicular
Microglia
Ependymal cells

Peripheral Neuroglia
Schwann Cells
in peripheral nerve or ganglion
Capsular (Satellite) cells
in ganglion
 Gliogenesis

The same neural stem cells inhibit each other. Then, one cell happened to gain an
advantage. It produces more delta, inhibiting neighboring cell from acquiring neural
fate by increased Notch stimulation.
 Microglia genesis

Microglia are derived embryonically from the yolk sac. Postnatal recruitment of
microglia from circulating monocytes is possible, but not frequent. Adult microglia
can self renew.
Neuroglia makes the whole system work
 The four classical functions of glial cells

• Surround neurons and hold them in place

• Supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons

• Insulate one neuron from another

• Destroy and remove carcasses of dead neurons and waste

Glial modulation of synapses
A crazy experiment
Human astrocytes strengthens neurotransmission of mouse neurons
Shocking Results
More than supporting roles
Implications in the pathogenesis of
CNS diseases
Alzheimer’s Disease
Glial hypothesis of Alzheimer’s

Activated Glia
Microglia at different stages of Alzheimer’s disease
Microglia show the wreckage of time
Parkinson’s Disease
 GDNF therapy

GDNF: Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factors

Depression and glia