Nervous System

The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous system contains the brain and spinal cord.

What is the Nervous System?

The nervous system is a complex network of neurons and cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body.

Function of the Nervous System

Development of the Nervous System

Pathology of the Nervous System

What are Schwann Cells?

Bioelectronic Medicine: Hacking Nervous System Signals for Therapeutic Benefits

The Impact of Hormones on the Nervous System

Latest Nervous System News and Research

Groundbreaking brain atlas sheds light on neural pathways for movement

Signals relayed to motor neurons from the brain enable muscle movement, but these signals typically pass through spinal interneurons before they reach their destination.

23 Dec 2024

The crucial role of 'chaperones' in maintaining neuronal function

A team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the first to show how proteins called "chaperones" are vital in ensuring that neurons can transmit signals to one another. When this neurotransmission breaks down, devastating diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's along with many others, can occur.

20 Dec 2024

Chemogenetic activation reveals male-female differences in stress resistance neural circuits

Subtle activation of a small subset of neurons in one region of the brain can make male mice resilient to, and even reverse, the detrimental effects of chronic stress. The same is true for female mice, but in a totally different region of the brain.

19 Dec 2024

Sleep disruptions may increase brain volume in the hippocampus

People with breathing problems during sleep may have a larger hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory and thinking, according to a study published in the December 18, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

18 Dec 2024

Study finds no link between antibiotic use and cognitive decline in older adults

For healthy older adults, using antibiotics is not associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment or dementia, according to a study published in the December 18, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

18 Dec 2024

Study demonstrates safety of neural stem cell transplant for treating chronic spinal cord injury

A Phase I clinical trial led by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine has demonstrated the long-term safety and feasibility of neural stem cell transplantation for treating chronic spinal cord injuries.

18 Dec 2024

Nutraceuticals: exploring potential benefits and challenges of an unregulated healthcare frontier

Nutraceuticals offer potential health benefits, from migraine relief to cognitive support, but safety and regulatory issues must be addressed for effective use.

18 Dec 2024

Heat waves pose unique threats to people with Parkinson's and dementia

As 2024 is set to end as Earth's hottest year on record – breaking the previous record set in 2023– a UCLA Health researcher says people living with neurodegenerative diseases will be uniquely vulnerable to worsening heat waves because of a higher risk of heat-related complications.

17 Dec 2024

Heart rate fluctuations linked to infant speech development

The soft, gentle murmurs of a baby's first expressions, like little whispers of joy and wonder to doting parents, are actually signs that the baby's heart is working rhythmically in concert with developing speech.

17 Dec 2024

Targeting brain enzyme may offer new treatment for obesity

Endocannabinoids in the brain play a key role in food intake and energy use. Modulating the action of these molecules could help fight obesity, say researchers at Université de Montréal's affiliated hospital research center.

16 Dec 2024

Circadian chaos: How transportation noise harms heart health

Transportation noise poses serious risks to cardiovascular health, causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and circadian rhythm disruption, with compounded effects from air pollution.

12 Dec 2024

Insilico Medicine gets first clinical milestone payment of $10 million for XL309

Insilico Medicine ('Insilico'), a clinical-stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery and development company, today announced that it has received the first clinical milestone payment of $10 million for XL309 (previously known as ISM3091) from Exelixis.

12 Dec 2024

Blood pressure fluctuations linked to problems with thinking and memory skills

Older adults whose blood pressure fluctuates over time may be more likely to have problems with thinking and memory skills, according to a study published in the December 11, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

11 Dec 2024

Imlunestrant offers new hope for ER-positive HER2-negative breast cancer

Imlunestrant, an investigational next-generation selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), improved progression-free survival in patients with endocrine therapy-pretreated, ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer-;as monotherapy in patients with ESR1 mutations and as combination therapy with abemaciclib (Verzenio) in all patients, regardless of ESR1 mutation status-;according to results from the phase III EMBER-3 clinical trial presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), held December 10-13, 2024.

11 Dec 2024