Large amounts of brain activity, the kind that goes on in a healthy and active brain, can stimulate growth of new dendroids, fostering further connections between neurons and improving overall brain functioning.
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In addition to 100 billion neurons, there are about 10 to 50 times that many glial cells in the brain, in fact these small cells account for about half the brain’s weight and are now sometimes referred to as the brain’s housekeepers.
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Traditionally glia has been thought of as mere support for the brain’s neural network, however, scientists are now discovering that glial cells may play a much greater role in the brain’s communication than previously thought. Although glial cells do not carry nerve impulses they do have many important functions without which neurons would not work properly. These include providing physical and nutritional support for neurons by cleaning up brain debris, transporting nutrients to neurons, holding neurons in place, digesting parts of dead neurons, providing insulation to neurons in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system and providing physical support to neurons in the peripheral nervous system.
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Although research into the importance of glial cells is still relatively in its infancy, neurobiologists have demonstrated that, by themselves, pure populations of nerve cells and glia connect together poorly, however, the combination of the two cell types result in strong connections between nerve cells.
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In the brain such connections allow nerve cells to transmit messages about activities such as thought, memory and movement, however, the weakening of these connections could be responsible for memory loss, symptoms of strokes and Alzheimer’s disease.
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The human brain is an infinitely complex subject and these complexities are, and will continue to be, the subject of much debate. As technological methods becomes more advanced, and our knowledge of the functions of the brain increases, these issues will become increasingly clarified, as will treatments for abnormal diseases of the brain such as strokes, brain disorders, Parkinson’s disease and cerebral palsy.
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References:
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Workout for a Balanced Brain by Philip Carter and Ken Russell - Reader’s Digest Books 2001
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Increase Your Brainpower by Philip Carter and Ken Russell - John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 2001
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Maximise Your Brainpower by Philip Carter and Ken Russell - John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 2002
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