Decoding the Synapse: A Deep Dive into Brain Function and Disease
[Image of Prof. Silvio O. Rizzoli, director of the Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology at the university Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), spokesman for the SFB 1286, spokesman for the Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) at the UMG and member of the Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging: From molecular machines to networks of excitable cells” (MBExC). Photo: UMG/Swen Pförtner © Photo: Swen pförtner]
Researchers are making significant strides in understanding the fundamental building blocks of our nervous system: the synapse. Led by Prof. Silvio O. Rizzoli,director of the Institute for neuro- and Sensory Physiology at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG),a collaborative effort is focused on creating a comprehensive,replicable model of the synapse – a crucial step towards tackling devastating neurological diseases.
So far, the team has amassed a wealth of data detailing the synapse’s intricate workings. they’ve meticulously examined the molecular makeup of synapses, observing their behaviour during both rest and active states. This deep dive has revealed the precise positioning of proteins involved in information transmission, alongside a better understanding of synapse density and the constant protein fluctuations necessary for maintaining function. Researchers have also mapped how these structures collaborate to effectively transmit signals.
this experimental data has been further refined through laboratory work, and bolstered by new projects in computational neuroscience. These projects utilize mathematical analysis and computer simulations to model synaptic functions and molecular movements with unprecedented detail and realism.
Open questions should be clarified
Now entering its third funding phase, the project aims to build upon this foundation. “We will now build on this preliminary work,further optimize our computer model and complete it,” explains Rizzoli. The ultimate goal is to resolve lingering questions surrounding synaptic function and the malfunctions that contribute to disease.
The research strategy integrates fundamental scientific discoveries with analyses of disease origins, specifically focusing on the brain changes observed in conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.The team is also investigating the impact of aging, comparing and contrasting synaptic function in younger and older individuals to understand potential differences in operation.
Rizzoli anticipates that the completed model will provide a clearer understanding of synaptic function and offer valuable insights into the complexities of the nervous system.
Ultimately, this deeper understanding holds the potential to revolutionize the treatment of progressive nerve diseases, offering hope for more effective therapies and alleviating the suffering of patients.
Keyword: synapse
Synapses are the critical junctions between cells that facilitate information transfer (stimuli/excitements). These connections can occur between nerve cells (neurons) or between neurons and other cell types like muscle, sensory, or gland cells.Synapses enable communication, typically in a one-way direction: one nerve cell sends a signal, while a neighboring cell receives it. Within each nerve cell, signals travel as electrical impulses. Between nerve cells, signals can be transmitted electrically or chemically, with the signal converting into messenger substances that are then reconverted into an electrical signal in the receiving cell. A single neuron can form synapses with anywhere from one to 100,000 other cells. (tko)
