X-Message-Number: 24140 From: "Basie" <> Subject: x-irradiation of damaged CNS Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 21:21:26 -0400 "Neurons of the central nervous system are incapable of mitotic division; once formed, therefore, the number of neurons in a human brain can only decrease. Indeed, a great many neurons die within a short period after their origination: neuronal death (called apoptosis), as well as consolidation, plays a large role in the "sculpting" of neural circuits as they mature. Interestingly, when neurons of the CNS are damaged, their attempts at regeneration are stymied by microglial cells -- neurons of the peripheral nervous system retain a limited capacity for regeneration, presumably because macrophages (cells of the immune system which are not present in the CNS), prevent the microglia from interfering with regenaration by making scar tissue. An exciting recent development is the finding that x-irradiation of damaged CNS can promote regeneration, probably by killing the microglia." I wonder if the x-irradiation before suspension could protect the brain. Basie Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=24140