Scientists have discovered what they claim is a “maintenance” protein which helps keep nerve fibres, that transmit messages in brain, operating smoothly. A team at the University of Edinburgh says the finding of the protein Nfasc186 can improve understanding of disorders such as epilepsy, dementia and stroke as in neurodegenerative disorders, electrical impulses from the brain are disrupted.
In their research, the scientists found that Nfasc186 is crucial for maintaining the health and function of segment of nerve fibres — called the axon initial segment — which controls transmission of messages within the brain.
They found that the axon initial segment (AIS) and the protein within it are important in ensuring the nerve impulse has the right properties to convey the message as it should, the BBC reported.
“Knowing more about how signals in the brain work will help us better understand neurodegenerative disorders and why, when these illnesses strike, the brain can no longer send signals to parts of the body,” Prof. Peter Brophy, who led the team, was quoted as saying. Dr Matthew Nolan of the university’s Centre for Integrative Physiology said: “At any moment tens of thousands of electrical impulses are transmitting messages between nerve cells in our brains.
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Turkish singer shot in head, battling for life
Istanbul: Famous Turkish singer Ibrahim Tatlises, popular across West Asia, was clinging to life Monday after being shot in the head in Istanbul, the media reported. An unknown gunman opened fire on the 59-year-old singer about 30 minutes after midnight Saturday as he was leaving a television studio and about to climb into a car, several newspapers reported.
At least one bullet entered the back of his skull and exited through the front, chief surgeon Caglar Cuhadaroglu said after a four-hour operation on the singer, the Anatolia press agency reported. “His life is still in danger but the situation has improved since he arrived at hospital,” he said. Internal haemorrhaging has been stopped but Tatlises could be paralysed if he survives, he said. —AFP