Inflammation can be a key player in causing damage to brain cells and their functions, especially in various brain disorders. Here’s how inflammation can harm these important cells:
Cytokine Release: When inflammation happens, special proteins called cytokines, like TNF-α and IL-1β, are released. These proteins can disrupt the normal activities of brain cells, making it harder for them to communicate and sometimes triggering cell death, which is a process called apoptosis.
Oxidative Stress: Inflammation also causes an increase in harmful molecules known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). These can damage important parts of brain cells like fats, proteins, and even DNA. This damage can lead to the death of brain cells. For instance, high levels of oxidative stress are found in diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Microglial Activation: Microglia are the immune cells that live in the brain. When inflammation occurs, these cells become active. Although it’s important for them to clear out waste and fight off germs, if they stay active for too long, they can release harmful substances that damage brain cells. This can make conditions like multiple sclerosis worse.
Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption: Inflammation can also hurt the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is like a shield protecting the brain. When this barrier is damaged, toxic substances can slip into the brain, increasing the risk of brain cell injury.
Ischemic Stroke: After an injury that cuts off blood flow to the brain (like a stroke), inflammation can make the damage even worse by using the processes mentioned above.
Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are linked with ongoing inflammation. This shows how long-term inflammation can lead to slow and steady loss of brain cells.
In short, it’s important to understand that inflammation can be both protective and harmful. This knowledge can help scientists find ways to reduce brain cell damage while keeping the immune system working properly.
Inflammation can be a key player in causing damage to brain cells and their functions, especially in various brain disorders. Here’s how inflammation can harm these important cells:
Cytokine Release: When inflammation happens, special proteins called cytokines, like TNF-α and IL-1β, are released. These proteins can disrupt the normal activities of brain cells, making it harder for them to communicate and sometimes triggering cell death, which is a process called apoptosis.
Oxidative Stress: Inflammation also causes an increase in harmful molecules known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). These can damage important parts of brain cells like fats, proteins, and even DNA. This damage can lead to the death of brain cells. For instance, high levels of oxidative stress are found in diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Microglial Activation: Microglia are the immune cells that live in the brain. When inflammation occurs, these cells become active. Although it’s important for them to clear out waste and fight off germs, if they stay active for too long, they can release harmful substances that damage brain cells. This can make conditions like multiple sclerosis worse.
Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption: Inflammation can also hurt the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is like a shield protecting the brain. When this barrier is damaged, toxic substances can slip into the brain, increasing the risk of brain cell injury.
Ischemic Stroke: After an injury that cuts off blood flow to the brain (like a stroke), inflammation can make the damage even worse by using the processes mentioned above.
Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are linked with ongoing inflammation. This shows how long-term inflammation can lead to slow and steady loss of brain cells.
In short, it’s important to understand that inflammation can be both protective and harmful. This knowledge can help scientists find ways to reduce brain cell damage while keeping the immune system working properly.