CPAT3201 MODULE 2: NEUROINFLAMMATION

cortical layer

is ~5mm thick, divided into 6 different layers, the first layer is noncellular and every layer after that have different populations of neurons

grey matter

where the cell bodies of the neurons lie

white matter

mostly medium sized nuclei of astrocytes and smaller oligodendrocytes, DOES NOT have neuronal cell bodies

microglia

cells that have spindly arms and are quite mobile, surveil their environment and can pick up any injury/problems —> they will mobilise and move to those areas, they can take on different morphologies

what happens to the brain if there is severe injury or interruption of blood supply to the brain?

there will be no healing, there is some sort of fibrosis effect but the brain will be left with a cavity after fibrosis

distinction of astrocytes during an injury

when there is an injury, the astrocytes upregulate this cytoplasm and become a lot larger and more active then they normally are, they try to ward off a cavity from the rest of the brain, once astrocytes are upregulated they have a star-like appearance and go into damage mode