[Structure and function of the central nervous system].
The main elements of the central nervous system are the brain and the spinal cord. It contains millions of neurons and glial cells: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. The main role of the CNS is to process information, analyze signals, and activate effector organs. The role of the glial cells is the creation of the blood-brain barrier, the protection and feeding of neuronal cells, antioxidant activity, and immunological control. Unbalanced glial activation may cause neurodegeneration.
Zabłocka
Agnieszka
A
Instytut Immunologii i Terapii Doświadczalnej PAN im. L. Hirszfelda we Wrocławiu. zablocka@iitd.pan.wroc.pl
Janusz
Maria
M
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000276:immunology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017628:Microglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology