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The human brain contains more than a billion neurons which
interconnect to form networks that process, store, and recall
sensory information. These neuronal activities are supported by a
group of accessory brain cells coll- tively known as neuroglia.
Surprisingly, glial cells are ten times more - merous than neurons,
and occupy more than half the brain volume (Hyden, 1961). Although
long considered a passive, albeit necessary, component of the
nervous system, many interesting and unusual functional properties
of glial cells are only now being brought to light. As a result,
the status of these cellular elements is approaching parity with
nerve cells as a subject for experimental study. The term glia (or
glue) seems today to be a misnomer in view of the diverse functions
attributed to glial cells. Experimental studies in the last three
decades have clearly established that the behavior of glial cells
is far from passive, and that they are at least as complex as
neurons with regard to their membrane properties. In addition,
glial cells are of importance in signal processing, cellular
metabolism, nervous system development, and the pathophysiology of
neurological diseases. The Muller cell of the ver- brate retina
provides a splendid example of an accessory cell that exhibits
features illustrating every aspect of the complex behavior now
associated with glial cells.
The human brain contains more than a billion neurons which
interconnect to form networks that process, store, and recall
sensory information. These neuronal activities are supported by a
group of accessory brain cells coll- tively known as neuroglia.
Surprisingly, glial cells are ten times more - merous than neurons,
and occupy more than half the brain volume (Hyden, 1961). Although
long considered a passive, albeit necessary, component of the
nervous system, many interesting and unusual functional properties
of glial cells are only now being brought to light. As a result,
the status of these cellular elements is approaching parity with
nerve cells as a subject for experimental study. The term glia (or
glue) seems today to be a misnomer in view of the diverse functions
attributed to glial cells. Experimental studies in the last three
decades have clearly established that the behavior of glial cells
is far from passive, and that they are at least as complex as
neurons with regard to their membrane properties. In addition,
glial cells are of importance in signal processing, cellular
metabolism, nervous system development, and the pathophysiology of
neurological diseases. The Muller cell of the ver- brate retina
provides a splendid example of an accessory cell that exhibits
features illustrating every aspect of the complex behavior now
associated with glial cells.
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