The central nervous system (CNS) is a major dose-limiting organ in clinical …

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Specific cell types in the central nervous system and their function
• Clinical radiation therapy
• Histopathologic changes
• Early gene induction
• Apoptosis
• Inhibition of neurogenesis
• Hypoxia, barrier disruption, and necrosis of the white matter
• ICAM-1
• Cell replacement
• Reducing apoptotic cell death
• Reducing secondary cell death
• Conclusion
• References
• Figure

Biology Articles » Biophysics » Medical Biophysics » Mechanisms of radiation injury to the central nervous system: implications for neuroprotection » Specific cell types in the central nervous system and their function

Specific cell types in the central nervous system and their function

- Mechanisms of radiation injury to the central nervous system: implications for neuroprotection

The major cell types in the CNS are neurons, glia, and vascular endothelial cells. Vascular endothelial cells in the CNS form the blood–brain barrier (BBB), essentially rendering the CNS impermeable to most proteins, hydrophilic molecules, and ions. Glial cells are generally divided into oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia. Oligodendrocytes are responsible for myelination of axons of neurons, a process that greatly increases the propagation of nerve impulses or action potential. Astrocytes participate in the transmission of the neuronal signals and in the formation and maintenance of the BBB. Microglia have phagocytic properties and are activated in inflammatory conditions of the CNS (14).