Contemporary concept about organization of central nervous system: human connectome and neural networks

2021 ◽  
pp. 42-47
Author(s):  
I. V. Damulin ◽  
A. A. Strutzenko

The aim. To systematize contemporary concept about the structural and functional organization of the central nervous system (CNS) and the importance of developing the concept of the human connectome.Main concepts. Signifcant progress in understanding the organization of the CNS in normal and in various pathological conditions was achieved after the introduction of structural and functional neuroimaging methods frst into scientifc and then into clinical practice. Recently, when studying the neuropsychiatric sphere, special attention has been paid to neural networks. One of the achievements in this feld is the construction of the human connectome – a system of structural and functional connections between various cerebral areas, the state of which is assessed using multimodal methods of functional neuroimaging. Thus, the development of brain sciences has reached a completely different level – the level of systemic psychoneurology, when the existing processes are analyzed comprehensively, with the involvement of specialists in various felds – neurology, psychiatry, neuroimaging, mathematics, etc. The human connectome is basically a biological system, therefore, although the analogy with artifcial intelligence can be traced, it does not take the frst place. The functioning of the human connectome is based on the principle of parallel, rather than sequential, information processing. Taking into account the inherent ability of the brain (at least, some of its areas) to generate spontaneous non-rhythmic oscillations, this leads to the implementation of the basic principle of the functioning of the CNS – minimizing energy consumption. In addition, the presence of spontaneous non-rhythmic oscillations (the principle of uncertainty) probably underlies the inherent human ability to intuitively think, develop new ideas. The state of the connectome in a rest is determined by past experience, the duration of external influences, and age. It affects the nature and severity of neuroplastic processes, as well as, in particular, the effectiveness of certain pharmacological drugs in a given individual. At the same time, the fnal result of neuroplastic changes may be of a different nature. It can be favorable for the body (the so-called adaptive plasticity), do not affect the body in any way, or even have a negative result (the so-called maladaptive neuroplasticity). In children, such maladaptive manifestations are less pronounced. Currently, hardware methods of influencing the connectome are being actively studied. For example, it was shown that the structure of the connectome in a rest state can change after transcranial magnetic stimulation. Further studies of this problem will open up new opportunities for studying the activity of such a complexly organized system as the brain – in normal and in various pathological conditions – and to develop more effective methods of neurorehabilitation.

1951 ◽  
Vol 97 (409) ◽  
pp. 792-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Crome

The problems of the interdependence and unity of the brain and body have been put on a scientific basis by Pavlov and his successors. Bykov (1947) has, for example, been able to demonstrate that the cortex plays a leading part in the regulation of somatic processes, such as secretion of urine, blood pressure, peristalsis and metabolism. It is therefore reasonable to argue that lesions of the central nervous system will be reflected in the pathogenesis and course of morbid processes in the body. It does not follow, however, that this influence will necessarily be in the direction of greater lability, more rapid pathogenesis or more extensive destruction. The outstanding feature of the central nervous system is its plasticity and power of compensation. It is therefore possible and probable that those parts of the nervous system which remain intact will take over and compensate for the function of the lost ones. Emotion may, for example, lead to polyuria, but it does not follow that urinary secretion will be impaired in a leucotomized patient. The brain may well play an important part in the infective processes of a normal person, but the defence against infection in a microcephalic idiot may remain perfectly adequate, and may even be more effective than in a normal person, provided that the mechanism of the immunity and phagocytosis had been more fully mobilized in the course of his previous life.


2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexei Verkhratsky ◽  
Maiken Nedergaard

Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in morphological appearance; they express a multitude of receptors, channels, and membrane transporters. This complement underlies their remarkable adaptive plasticity that defines the functional maintenance of the CNS in development and aging. Astrocytes are tightly integrated into neural networks and act within the context of neural tissue; astrocytes control homeostasis of the CNS at all levels of organization from molecular to the whole organ.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-15
Author(s):  
L.A. Dziak ◽  
O.S. Tsurkalenko ◽  
K.V. Chekha ◽  
V.M. Suk

Coronavirus infection is a systemic pathology resulting in impairment of the nervous system. The involvement of the central nervous system in COVID-19 is diverse by clinical manifestations and main mechanisms. The mechanisms of interrelations between SARS-CoV-2 and the nervous system include a direct virus-induced lesion of the central nervous system, inflammatory-mediated impairment, thrombus burden, and impairment caused by hypoxia and homeostasis. Due to the multi-factor mechanisms (viral, immune, hypoxic, hypercoagulation), the SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause a wide range of neurological disorders involving both the central and peripheral nervous system and end organs. Dizziness, headache, altered level of consciousness, acute cerebrovascular diseases, hypogeusia, hyposmia, peripheral neuropathies, sleep disorders, delirium, neuralgia, myalgia are the most common signs. The structural and functional changes in various organs and systems and many neurological symptoms are determined to persist after COVID-19. Regardless of the numerous clinical reports about the neurological and psychiatric symptoms of COVID-19 as before it is difficult to determine if they are associated with the direct or indirect impact of viral infection or they are secondary to hypoxia, sepsis, cytokine reaction, and multiple organ failure. Penetrated the brain, COVID-19 can impact the other organs and systems and the body in general. Given the mechanisms of impairment, the survivors after COVID-19 with the infection penetrated the brain are more susceptible to more serious diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, cognitive decline, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases. Given the multi-factor pathogenesis of COVID-19 resulting in long-term persistence of the clinical symptoms due to impaired neuroplasticity and neurogenesis followed by cholinergic deficiency, the usage of Neuroxon® 1000 mg a day with twice-day dosing for 30 days. Also, a long-term follow-up and control over the COVID-19 patients are recommended for the prophylaxis, timely determination, and correction of long-term complications.


1995 ◽  
Vol 198 (12) ◽  
pp. 2527-2536
Author(s):  
D R Nässel ◽  
M Y Kim ◽  
C T Lundquist

We have examined the distribution of two tachykinin-related neuropeptides, callitachykinin I and II (CavTK-I and CavTK-II), isolated from whole-animal extracts of the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria. Extracts of dissected brains, thoracic-abdominal ganglia and midguts of adult blowflies and the entire central nervous system of larval flies were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of CavTKs. To identify the two neuropeptides by HPLC, we used the retention times of synthetic CavTK-I and II as reference and detection with an antiserum raised to locustatachykinin II (shown here to recognise both CavTK-I and II). The brain contains only two immunoreactive components, and these have exactly the same retention times as CavTK-I and II. The thoracic-abdominal ganglia and midgut contain immunoreactive material eluting like CavTK-I and II as well as additional material eluting later. The larval central nervous system (CNS) contains material eluting like CavTK-I and II as well as a component that elutes earlier. We conclude that CavTK-I and II are present in all assayed tissues and that additional, hitherto uncharacterised, forms of tachykinin-immunoreactive material may be present in the body ganglia and midgut as well as in the larval CNS. An antiserum was raised to CavTK-II for immunocytochemistry. This antiserum, which was found to be specific for CavTK-II in ELISA, labelled all the neurones and midgut endocrine cells previously shown to react with the less selective locustatachykinin antisera. It is not clear, however, whether CavTK-I and II are colocalised in all LomTK-immunoreactive cells since there is no unambiguous probe for CavTK-I.


1937 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 523-532
Author(s):  
L. S. Stern

Evaluation of the results obtained in the study of the effect of cerebrospinal fluid on various physiological systems is complicated by the fact that the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid depends to a large extent on the state of the blood-brain barrier, and thus reflects not only a certain physiological state of the central nervous system. There is no doubt that the metabolic products of the brain, secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid, exert their effect not only on the activity of various parts of the brain and on the coordination of their functions, but due to the rapid transition of these substances from the cerebrospinal fluid into the general circulation, they also affect as a humoral a factor on the function of other physiological systems, as it was revealed in a number of experiments carried out in recent years in our laboratories. For example, it turned out that under various influences (direct irritation of the central nervous system in experimental epilepsy, irritation of the sensory nerves associated with severe pain, traumatic shock, toxemic or chemical shock, as well as starvation, prolonged insomnia, etc.) - substances appear in the cerebrospinal fluid that affect the state and activity of the cardiovascular system, the tone of smooth muscles, the excitability of the central nervous system, etc. These are the results of the work of our employees: Zeitlin, Weiss, Harles, Voskresensky, Gromakovskaya , Bazarova, Gotsman, Komarova and others. Work in this direction continues at the present time.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.S. Dzhunusova ◽  
N.U. Sataeva ◽  
S.B. Ibraimov

The studies were carried out on adolescents-mountaineers living in high-mountainous areas (2800 m above sea level, in Naryn, Osh, Issyk-Kul regions, 260 people). The markers of the functional activity of the brain were revealed, which characterize maladjustment functional changes on the EEG. Information databases of EEG parameters of adolescents living at an altitude of 2800 m have been created with the identification of the peculiarities of regional EEG standards, "electronic passports of the functional state of health" of adolescents were developed. The systemic and intersystemic restructuring of the body was identified, allowing to distinguish groups of persons with an unstable functional state, exposed to stressful environmental influences. Key words: hypoxia, adolescents, central nervous system, EEG.


Author(s):  
Vishal Chavda ◽  
Arif Tasleem Jan ◽  
Dhananjay Yadav

: The Coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-19), due to its depth impact on acute respiratory dysfunction and mortality, has thrown the world into chaos with its splendid rate of transmission. Recent research findings suggest that the loss of involuntary breathing control in the brainstem, which leads to death, is a clear indicator of neurological involvement.The nose to brain entry is the promising gateway of SARS-CoV-2 to reach the brain via systemic circulatory distribution subsequent infection of the lung. The loss of involuntary control of breathing is a result of an active gateway of systemic blood circulation through the lungs into the brain. Early neurological symptoms like loss of smell, convulsions, and ataxia are the clues of neurological involvement and central nervous system entry of SARS-CoV-2 that further become fatal, life-threatening and require artificial respiration and emergency admissions. As per studies investigated on Wuhan hospitalized patients of SARS-CoV-2, the involvement of SARS-CoV-2 in the central nervous system (CNS) has three major gateways: Direct involvement into CNS includes headache, ataxia, dizziness, altered or impaired consciousness, acute stroke or seizures; peripheral involvement includes impaired taste, smell, vision and altered nociception; and skeletal muscle impairment like skeletal muscle disorders, acute paralysis in a particular area of the body. In the previous era, most studied and researched viruses were beta coronavirus and mouse hepatitis virus, which were studied for acute and chronic encephalitis and multiple sclerosis (MS). Although the early symptoms of SARS-CoV are respiratory pathogenesis, the differential diagnosis should always be considered for neurological perspective to stop mortalities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Lemon ◽  
Stefan R. Pulver ◽  
Burkhard Höckendorf ◽  
Katie McDole ◽  
Kristin Branson ◽  
...  

Abstract Understanding how the brain works in tight concert with the rest of the central nervous system (CNS) hinges upon knowledge of coordinated activity patterns across the whole CNS. We present a method for measuring activity in an entire, non-transparent CNS with high spatiotemporal resolution. We combine a light-sheet microscope capable of simultaneous multi-view imaging at volumetric speeds 25-fold faster than the state-of-the-art, a whole-CNS imaging assay for the isolated Drosophila larval CNS and a computational framework for analysing multi-view, whole-CNS calcium imaging data. We image both brain and ventral nerve cord, covering the entire CNS at 2 or 5 Hz with two- or one-photon excitation, respectively. By mapping network activity during fictive behaviours and quantitatively comparing high-resolution whole-CNS activity maps across individuals, we predict functional connections between CNS regions and reveal neurons in the brain that identify type and temporal state of motor programs executed in the ventral nerve cord.


2020 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
pp. 517-531
Author(s):  
Wioletta Kazana ◽  
Agnieszka Zabłocka

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the proper functioning of the nervous system. It regulates the growth and survival of nerve cells, and is crucial in processes related to the memory, learning and synaptic plasticity. Abnormalities related to the distribution and secretion of BDNF protein accompany many diseases of the nervous system, in the course of which a significant decrease in BDNF level in the brain is observed. Impairments of BDNF transport may occur, for example, in the event of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the Bdnf (Val66Met) coding gene or due to the dysfunctions of the proteins involved in intracellular transport, such as huntingtin (HTT), huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1), carboxypeptidase E (CPE) or sortilin 1 (SORT1). One of the therapeutic goals in the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system may be the regulation of expression and secretion of BDNF protein by nerve cells. Potential therapeutic strategies are based on direct injection of the protein into the specific region of the brain, the use of viral vectors expressing the Bdnf gene, transplantation of BDNF-producing cells, the use of substances of natural origin that stimulate the cells of the central nervous system for BDNF production, or the use of molecules activating the main receptor for BDNF – tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB). In addition, an appropriate lifestyle that promotes physical activity helps to increase BDNF level in the body. This paper summarizes the current knowledge about the biological role of BDNF protein and proteins involved in intracellular transport of this neurotrophin. Moreover, it presents contemporary research trends to develop therapeutic methods, leading to an increase in the level of BDNF protein in the brain.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document