Refers to stem cells derived from adults, but also to stem cells derived from fetuses.
A type of glial cell that has many functions, on of which is to create a scar around the injury site
Part of a nerve cell, messages are sent along this long projection which makes contact with other neurons
Man-made microscopic structure built with organic molecules like carbon
Central nervous system, brain and spinal cord
Part of the brain involved in higher order thought processing (see figure)
A bundle of axons going from the brain through the spinal cord that, in humans, carries information on movement; has a specific location in the spinal cord
Powerful chemical substances secreted by cells, these proteins are often involved in immune function
Projections from a nerves cell's body that receive information from other cells
A cell that has developed into a particular cell type, e.g. a neuron or heart muscle cell.
Nerve fibers that come into the spinal cord from the body and send sensory information to the brain
Stem cells derived from blastocysts (early embryos).
Originating within the organism, here meaning the regeneration that would happen without intervention
A protein that changes a chemical reaction, but is not changed itself
On the surface of the spinal cord
A segment of DNA that has information to creation specific enzyme or protein
Nervous system support cells; make up approximately 90% of nervous system cells
Inner part of the spinal cord, looks grey because of the cell bodies located in that area
Tip of a regenerating axon
Part of the brain critical for learning and memory
An enzyme that is important in regulating cell functions, specifically can transfer a phosphate from a high energy phosphate such as ATP
Transgenic animal in which a gene has been added, or the process of adding a gene
Transgenic animal in which a gene has been removed, or the process of deleting a gene
Modulate the inflammatory response and stimulate the immune system; are a critical part of the body's response to injury
The form and structure of an organism
Neurons that make contact with and send messages directly to muscles
Multipotent cells can only become some types of cells, for example nervous system or muscle.
Fatty substance that provides insulation in the CNS, wraps around axons to allow for electrical conduction
Ability of the brain, spinal cord and neurons to adapt to change, as when changes are seen in these structures after learning or injury
The process of forming new nerve cells. Neurogenesis occurs through the process of cell division.
A cell that send electrical and chemical signals from one part of the body to another
A small protein that prevents nerve cells from regrowing after injury, called an inhibitory molecule
Olfactory ensheathing glia, or OEGs, are cells that aid in the regeneration of smell neurons, the only adult neurons we know of that regenerate as part of normal functioning
Glial cells that wrap around axons in the CNS and create insulating myelin
Pluripotent cells can become many types of cells but not all types of cells.
Peripheral nervous system, the nervous system of the body
A cell that, upon dividing, gives rise to a particular type of cell, for example, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells give rise to oligodendrocytes.
Proteins are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's cells, tissues, and organs; and each protein has unique functions
Neuronal insulation makers of the peripheral nervous system, myelin makers of the PNS
Tissue damage that occurs in the hours/days after injury; thought to be in part mediated by the immune response
Bundles of nerves the go through the spinal cord from the body delivering sensory information to the brain, ascending, or from the brain delivering motor information to the body, descending
Young cells that have the capacity to become other cell types
Totipotent cells can become all types of cells.
Genetic manipulation of an animal's genes, usually mice
A cell that has not yet developed into the type of cell it will eventually be. An un-differentiated cell may be able to develop into different cell types (that is, it may be a stem cell), or its fate may already be determined (lineage restricted).
Nerve fibers that come out of the spinal cord into the body and send motor information to muscles
Outer part of the spinal cord, looks white because of the myelinated (a white fatty substance that wraps axons) spinal tracts running through this area