Neuronal communication in the Central Nervous System: New approaches | Nuevos conceptos sobre la comunicacion neuronal en el Sistema Nerviosa Central

Abstract

Neurons may be considered the most versatile and appropriate differentiated cells to be able to develop all the theorical possibilities of cellular communication. CNS communication cannot be reduced to excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, as it also covers a whole range of phenomena of information transfer, both synaptic and non-synaptic, between neurons themselves and between neurons and glial cells (of a trophic or modulating character). All these informations are going to produce very different responses in the same cells. In this context, first intercellular messengers and neuron receptors of the first phase in cell communication are as important as second intercellular messengers and 'second messenger ways' of the second communicative phase, which will then produce the neuronal responses. These CNS cell communication phenomena do not change previous basic concepts, based on microscopic, physiological and biochemical studies, but they do amplify them. Now, we can use these new concepts to better explain the findings which are being described all the time in brain physiology and physiopathology, and to understand superior brain functions (such as memory, understanding and capacity to learn) and pathological mechanisms in neurodegenerative illnesses.