MCB 135K Discussion
February 25/26, 2004
GSI: Jason Lowry – JRLowry@LBL.GOV
Outline:
1. Major Functions of the Nervous System
2. Normal Aging of the Brain
3. Cells of the Brain
a. Neurons
b. Glial Cells
c. Endothelial Cells
4. Denudation of Neurons
5. Pathological and Cellular Changes in Normal Aging
6. Neurotransmitters/Neuromodulators
7. Neurochemical Changes in Aging
8. Diseases
a. Parkinson’s
i. Symptoms
ii. Pathology
iii. Treatment
9. Brain Plasticity
a. CNS Regenerative Potential
Questions:
1. What is the major function of the CNS
a. List 3 examples of this function
2. What are the major features of a neuron
3. What are the 3 types of glial cells
4. What are the functions of each of these cells
5. What is denudation
6. How does a neuron and glial cell number change with age
a. Provide examples
7. What are lipofuscin, fibrillary tangles, Paired Helical Filaments, Lewy Bodies,
amyloid deposits
8. Describe the pathological and cellular changes associated with normal aging
9. What are neurotransmitters
a. Where do they function
10. Describe the events at synapse for one of the four synapse examples provided
11. Describe the increased pathology associated with neurochemical imbalance
12. What is brain plasticity
13. Can neurons proliferate in adults
a. What are the examples of this