Over the past century, neurophysiology has advanced far ahead, but how most of the functions of the brain work is still a mystery. But it is quite possible that one mystery related to the human nervous system has become less. Indeed, recently, a group of scientists from the United States discovered neurons that support the excitation of the central nervous system. Or, to put it simply, they are responsible for the support and, if I may say so, the "work" of our consciousness.
According to the publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a group of researchers from Rockefeller University, studying the structure of neurons in the reticular formation, stumbled upon not quite ordinary cells of the central nervous system. To begin with, let us explain what the reticular formation is. It is part of the brain stem - the formation that connects the brain and spinal cord, hence the name. The reticular formation is responsible for the activation of the cortex, cortical functions and controls the reflex activity of the spinal cord (since it is partially located here as well). In addition, the reticular formation influences emotional behavior, plays a role in the process of learning and memorization, regulates the phases of deep sleep, and so on.
There is a formation in the reticular formation called the giant cell nucleus (NGC). Studying it and using the retro-TRAP technology (in short, the study of blood vessels), the experts found that gene expression occurs in NGC neurons, which produces endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS). It is an enzyme that produces nitric oxide, which relaxes the blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the tissues.
It is worth noting that none of the known types of neurons produce eNOS, and NGC cells are located very close to blood vessels, which allows them to "control and excite themselves." This allowed scientists to conclude that they are of decisive importance in maintaining the excitation of the central nervous system and the constant maintenance of consciousness "in good shape." According to Donald Praff, head of the Laboratory of Neuroscience and Behavior at Rockefeller University, "We believe that since these neurons need more oxygen and glucose, then they release nitric oxide into the nearest vessels, which keeps them working."
Vladimir Kuznetsov