Understanding Neurobiology – Neurons, Subcortical Structures, Glia Cells, Synapses, and Neuroplasticity

Understanding Neurobiology – Neurons, Subcortical Structures, Glia Cells, Synapses, and Neuroplasticity

A neuron is a basic unit of the nervous system. The anatomy of a neuron is made up of a cell body that houses the nucleus, dendrites, axons, and synaptic terminals (Camprodon & Roffman, 2016). When a neuron is activated, electrical impulse conduction occurs, and the dendrites receive incoming signals, such as from a hot or cold surface. The electrical signal travels to the cell body, where the axon picks them up and moves them toward the synaptic terminals (Caire et al., 2022). Due to the signal, the synaptic terminals trigger neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, then bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, which then propagates the electrical impulse (Chen & Lui, 2019).

The major subcortical structures include

• Diencephalon
• Pituitary gland
• Limbic structures
• Basal ganglia.
• Which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction?

The hippocampus, amygdala, and striatum play a role in the development of addiction and earning and memory (Klenowski et al., 2015).

• What are the two key neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the

brain that plays a major role in motor control?

The two key neurotransmitters contained in the nigra striatal region of the brain are dopamine and the striatum (Goodman & Packard, 2016).

The glia cells’ role is to support neural function in the nervous system providing required nutrition and maintaining optimal homeostasis (Camprodon & Roffman, 2016). The glia cells also support the development of the blood-brain barrier. The glia cells further repair and support the regeneration of neural tissue. Microglia, such as the astrocytes, play a role in synapse maintenance and myelinating axons (Camprodon & Roffman, 2016).

The presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron communicate at the synapse. The presynaptic neuron’s synaptic terminals trigger the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft (Caire et al., 2022). The neurotransmitters cross the chemical or electric synaptic cleft to bind to the receptors of the receiving postsynaptic neuron.

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt to changes in its chemical composition within its lifetime. It involves neurons reorganizing themselves and forming new connections as they adjust to a new context or environment. For instance, the neurons can form new connections as they adjust their activity due to stimulations from certain drugs over time, creating an addiction.

 References

Caire, M. J., Reddy, V., & Varacallo, M. (2022). Physiology, Synapse. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526047/

Camprodon, J. A., & Roffman, J. L. (2016). Psychiatric neuroscience: Incorporating pathophysiology into clinical case formulation. In Theodore. A. Stern, M. Fava, T. E. Wilens, & J. F. Rosenbaum (Eds.), Massachusetts General Hospital Psychopharmacology and Neurotherapeutics (1st ed., pp. 1–19). Elsevier.

Chen, I., & Lui, F. (2019). Neuroanatomy, Neuron Action Potential. StatPearls. http://europepmc.org/books/NBK546639