Cells And Structures Of The CNS

Question 1

Where are medium spiny neurons found?

Answer 1

Striatum (principal neuron type)
GABA-ergic

Question 2

What are the principal neuronal types in the cortex?

Answer 2

Pyramidal and stellate

Excitatory - glutamatergic

Question 3

At a synapse, what structures might a neuron communicate with?

Answer 3

Another neuron
A muscle cell (neuromuscular junction)
An endocrine cell

Question 4

What is the role of glial cells (astrocytes) at the synapse?

Answer 4

Neurotransmitter reuptake

Question 5

What are the two subtypes of astrocytes?

Answer 5

Protoplasmic - more common in grey matter
Fibrous - more common in white matter

Question 6

Where are Schwann cells found and what is their counterpart?

Answer 6

Schwann cells are in the peripheral nervous system

CNS counterpart is the oligodendrocyte

Question 7

How many axons does the Schwann cell myelinate?

Answer 7

Just one
One neuron in the PNS will have multiple Schwann cells

Question 8

What is the purpose of myelin?

Answer 8

To speed up nerve conduction by jumping (saltatory conduction) between nodes (where ion channels exist)

Question 9

What autoimmune condition is typified by demyelination?

Answer 9

Multiple Sclerosis

Question 10

What is the role of microglia?

Answer 10

CNS immune cells
-Surveillance
-Pathogen response
-Phagocytosis

Neurogenesis/synaptogenesis
-pruning

Question 11

What conditions are associated with microglial dysfunction?

Answer 11

Multiple sclerosis
Viral infections/encephalitis
Neurodevelopmental disorders (autism)
Psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia)