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Nervous system

About: Nervous system is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 16729 publications have been published within this topic receiving 847181 citations.


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TL;DR: Using in vivo electrophysiological and anatomical approaches in the rat, it is found that lateral parabrachial neurons are pivotal in this pathway by glutamatergically transmitting cutaneous thermosensory signals received from spinal somatosensory neurons directly to the thermoregulatory command center, the preoptic area.
Abstract: Defending body temperature against environmental thermal challenges is one of the most fundamental homeostatic functions that are governed by the nervous system. Here we describe a somatosensory pathway that essentially constitutes the afferent arm of the thermoregulatory reflex that is triggered by cutaneous sensation of environmental temperature changes. Using in vivo electrophysiological and anatomical approaches in the rat, we found that lateral parabrachial neurons are pivotal in this pathway by glutamatergically transmitting cutaneous thermosensory signals received from spinal somatosensory neurons directly to the thermoregulatory command center, the preoptic area. This feedforward pathway mediates not only sympathetic and shivering thermogenic responses but also metabolic and cardiac responses to skin cooling challenges. Notably, this 'thermoregulatory afferent' pathway exists in parallel with the spinothalamocortical somatosensory pathway that mediates temperature perception. These findings make an important contribution to our understanding of both the somatosensory system and thermal homeostasis -- two mechanisms that are fundamental to the nervous system and to our survival.

412 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Recent findings that have shed light on the specific functions of defined extracellular matrix molecules on such diverse processes as neural stem cell differentiation, neuronal migration, the formation of axonal tracts, and the maturation and function of synapses in the peripheral and central nervous system are summarized.
Abstract: An astonishing number of extracellular matrix glycoproteins are expressed in dynamic patterns in the developing and adult nervous system. Neural stem cells, neurons, and glia express receptors that mediate interactions with specific extracellular matrix molecules. Functional studies in vitro and genetic studies in mice have provided evidence that the extracellular matrix affects virtually all aspects of nervous system development and function. Here we will summarize recent findings that have shed light on the specific functions of defined extracellular matrix molecules on such diverse processes as neural stem cell differentiation, neuronal migration, the formation of axonal tracts, and the maturation and function of synapses in the peripheral and central nervous system.

411 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence that 5-HT can influence both biochemical and morphological differentiation of raphe neurons and receptive target cells suggests that this neurotransmitter may have an organizing function in the developing nervous system which involves effects on neurite outgrowth and other aspects of neuronal differentiation, including synaptogenesis.
Abstract: The serotonergic system is an early forming component of the CNS circuitry, beginning its development on gestational days 11-12 in the rat. Owing to its early presence in the embryonic nervous system, 5-HT has been proposed to act as a developmental signal for receptive cells. In vivo and in vitro evidence that 5-HT can influence both biochemical and morphological differentiation of raphe neurons and receptive target cells suggests that this neurotransmitter may have an organizing function in the developing nervous system which involves effects on neurite outgrowth and other aspects of neuronal differentiation, including synaptogenesis. Such functions may be mediated by a variety of 5-HT receptors located on both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. The apparent function of 5-HT as a differentiation signal in the developing nervous system raises important issues regarding the use of psychoactive serotonergic drugs by pregnant women, since these drugs may act as neural teratogens in the unborn child.

411 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
08 Nov 2001-Nature
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that projection neurons are prespecified by lineage and birth order to form synapses with specific incoming ORN axons, and therefore to carry specific olfactory information, which could be used to hardwire the fly's Olfactory system, enabling stereotyped behavioural responses to odorants.
Abstract: In Drosophila and mice, olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) expressing the same receptors have convergent axonal projections to specific glomerular targets in the antennal lobe/olfactory bulb, creating an odour map in this first olfactory structure of the central nervous system1,2,3. Projection neurons of the Drosophila antennal lobe send dendrites into glomeruli and axons to higher brain centres4, thereby transferring this odour map further into the brain. Here we use the MARCM method5 to perform a systematic clonal analysis of projection neurons, allowing us to correlate lineage and birth time of projection neurons with their glomerular choice. We demonstrate that projection neurons are prespecified by lineage and birth order to form synapses with specific incoming ORN axons, and therefore to carry specific olfactory information. This prespecification could be used to hardwire the fly's olfactory system, enabling stereotyped behavioural responses to odorants. Developmental studies lead us to hypothesize that recognition molecules ensure reciprocally specific connections of ORNs and projection neurons. These studies also imply a previously unanticipated role for precise dendritic targeting by postsynaptic neurons in determining connection specificity.

410 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 1996-Neuron
TL;DR: Results indicate that, in addition to functioning as a mitogen, a motogen, and a morphogen in nonneural systems, HGF/SF can function as a guidance and survival factor in the developing nervous system.

409 citations


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Performance
Metrics
No. of papers in the topic in previous years
YearPapers
2023247
2022510
2021371
2020409
2019375
2018357