How are human nerve cells born and lost? Why doesn’t it reproduce more?

Nerve cells, or neurons, play an essential role in controlling body activity and transmitting information. Unlike many other cell types, human neurons hardly regenerate themselves after adulthood. Therefore, the question of the birth and death of neurons in humans has attracted great attention in the field of neuroscience research, with the hope of opening up treatment directions for diseases related to this disease. neuron decline.

1. How does the life cycle of human neurons take place? What are its characteristics?

Life cycle of human nerve cells takes place through stages from development and activity to aging and death, with many distinct characteristics of time and speed.

• Development and formation:
  • Nerve cells are formed mainly during the embryonic stage and the first years of life. During this period, the reproduction and development of neurons occurs very quickly, helping to establish the basic nerve network for the body.
• Operation and maintenance:
  • Once fully formed, nerve cells enter the active phase. Here, they perform the function of transmitting and processing information between organs in the body. A notable feature is that neurons have a very long lifespan; Many cells can last a lifetime. The operating speed of nerve cells is very fast, thanks to electrical impulses transmitted through nerve fibers at speeds of up to several hundred km/h.
• Aging and death:
  • Although they do not have the ability to regenerate themselves, over time, neurons will gradually age. Factors such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cumulative damage impair function and lead to neuronal death. This decline often occurs slowly, lasting decades, contributing to the natural aging process and the development of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s..

Human nerve cells have outstanding characteristics in terms of longevity, speed of operation and ability to regenerate. First of all, neurons have a very long lifespan, many cells can last a lifetime without being replaced. This allows them to maintain important connections in the nervous system over the years, but also leaves the body vulnerable when damage occurs. 

In addition, the signal transmission speed of nerve cells is very fast, thanks to electrical impulses moving through nerve fibers at speeds of up to several hundred km/h, helping the body respond promptly to stimuli. prefer. However, the biggest limitation of neurons is their very low ability to regenerate after maturity. Except for some special areas in the brain such as the hippocampus that can produce new neurons, the majority of nerve cells cannot recover after damage, leading to long-term effects on neurological health.

2. Explain why nerve cells do not reproduce?

Why don’t nerve cells reproduce?? Neuron nerve cells Their inability to reproduce further after adulthood is due to their specialized characteristics and functions in the nervous system. First of all, neurons have a complex structure with long dendrites and axons, helping them to connect tightly and transmit information quickly throughout the nervous system. To maintain this complex connection, nerve cells need to maintain stability and continuity, so cannot divide or regenerate like other types of cells.

In addition, neurons do not have mobile components necessary for cell division, such as centrosomes, which are important structures in chromosome separation during cell division. Once differentiated to perform neurological functions, neurons lose the ability to divide to ensure not disrupting the complex system of connections and signal transmission functions. Therefore, instead of regenerating by division, nerve cells must rely on other mechanisms to repair minor damage or adapt to degeneration over time..

3. How to prevent the decline of nerve cells with age to protect brain function?

To prevent the loss of nerve cells with age and protect brain function, you can apply scientific methods that have proven effective. Here are some measures you can take:

3.1. Proper nutrition

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in salmon, mackerel and chia seeds. Omega-3 helps protect nerve cells and strengthen their connectivity.
• Antioxidants: Substances such as vitamins E, C and flavonoids (found in blueberries, oranges and green tea) help protect cells from the effects of free radicals.
• B vitamins: B6, B12 and folate help reduce homocysteine ​​levels in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of neurodegeneration.

3.2. Train your brain

• Reading books, solving crossword puzzles and learning new languages: These activities stimulate the development of neural connections and help the brain stay in a “active” state.
• Play a musical instrument or engage in creative activities: These activities help increase brain flexibility and develop areas responsible for memory and problem solving.

3.3 Exercise regularly

• Aerobic exercise: Exercises such as brisk walking, swimming and cycling help increase blood circulation to the brain, providing oxygen and nutrients to nerve cells.
• Practice yoga or meditation: These exercises help reduce stress and balance hormones, reducing the risk of brain atrophy due to chronic stress.

3.4. Quality sleep

• Sleep helps the body recover and eliminate toxic substances in the brain that accumulate during the day. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night is ideal for brain health.

3.5. Reduce stress

• Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation and mindfulness. Prolonged stress increases the risk of nerve damage, so stress control is important.

3.6. Avoid harmful substances

• Reduce alcohol consumption and stay away from stimulants: These substances can damage brain cells and lead to impaired neurological function over time.
• Do not smoke: Smoking reduces blood flow to the brain, and causes many dangerous diseases for the brain and nervous system.

3.7. Regular health check-ups

• Watch for diseases that can affect the brain such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol. Controlling these factors helps protect nerve cells from premature deterioration.

The above habits not only help protect nerve cells but also maintain overall health, helping to improve your quality of life as you get older.

In short, through the above article we can understand better  What are nerve cells? and What function do nerve cells have?. In addition, their formation and degeneration process is greatly influenced by genetic factors, living environment and daily lifestyle. To a certain extent, the body is capable of generating new neurons through the process of neurogenesis, especially in areas such as the hippocampus – which is responsible for memory and learning. However, with time and age, this ability declines, accompanied by nerve cell loss due to natural neurodegeneration.

To maintain and protect brain health, adopting healthy nutrition, brain training, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, managing stress and avoiding harmful substances are key factors. important factor. Thanks to that, we can support the regeneration of nerve cells and prevent degeneration, keeping the brain sharp and neurological function stable through the stages of life.

References: Labxchange.org, Ninds.nih.gov, Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, Msdmanuals.com, Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov