The researchers confirmed the presence of an unusual type of brain cells, which were initially considered by other neuroscientists as isolated cases or technical errors.
A category of brain cells with seemingly contradictory traits has intrigued the scientific community, calling into question their real existence.
A new study in mice and humans now not only supports the existence of these paradoxical cells, but also suggests that they may provide explanations for the neurological basis of conditions such as autism and schizophrenia.
Published in Molecular Psychiatry, this research identified the simultaneous presence, in some neurons, of two chemical markers previously thought to indicate opposite neuronal functions.
In brain tissues taken postmortem from donors with autism or schizophrenia, these cells with atypical markers showed changes in the expression of genes involved in the production of cellular energy through oxygen consumption.
This observation may shed light on the potential link between schizophrenia and autism and genetic changes that lead to oxidative stress or the accumulation of reactive products following energy generation in cells.
The study identified a special class of inhibitory neurons that carry two distinctive chemical markers: parvalbumin (PV) and cholecystokinin (CCK).
Neurons with PV are fast-spiking, emitting short, rapid repetitive signals, while neurons with CCK fire in a slower, more traditional manner.
Previous research has suggested that these types of neurons are generally active at different times, with PV neurons often firing before and inhibiting CCK neurons.
However, the new study found that there are cases where these markers are present in the same neuron, which undermines this hypothesis.
The study confirmed that these neurons with both types of markers activate genes related to the production of cellular energy through the process of oxidative phosphorylation, a process that involves oxygen and enzymes in the creation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cells’ main source of energy.
In the case of brain tissues taken from people with neuropsychiatric conditions, the expression of genes involved in this process was altered, suggesting a possible contribution of these neurons in conditions such as autism and schizophrenia.
This research does not establish a direct link between these neurons and specific conditions, but opens doors for future investigations that may reveal more about their implications in neurological disorders.
Researchers have used a variety of methods to support the existence of these special cells, thus providing a solid foundation for further investigation.
Although the study does not directly provide therapeutic solutions, it may contribute to the future development of treatments for neurological conditions by gaining a deeper understanding of these cells and their role in brain function.
Simon Pieraut, a biology expert at the University of Reno, said that this study, while not the first to identify these cells, is the first to focus in detail on the characteristics of neurons and can serve as a foundation for future research.
Source: 360medical.ro
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2023-08-07 19:27:39
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