Neurobiology

1. Cells of the Nervous System
   1. Neurons
      1. Structure
         1. Soma (Cell Body)
            1. Role in signal integration
            2. Metabolic center of the neuron
            3. Houses the nucleus and organelles
         2. Axons
            1. Structure and function
            2. Axon Hillock and initiation of action potential
            3. Myelination and Nodes of Ranvier
            4. Axon terminals and neurotransmitter release
         3. Dendrites
            1. Reception of synaptic inputs
            2. Dendritic spines and plasticity
            3. Integration of synaptic signals
      2. Types
         1. Sensory Neurons
            1. Function in sensory input
            2. Different types based on sensory modality
         2. Motor Neurons
            1. Role in transmitting motor commands
            2. Connection with muscles and glands
         3. Interneurons
            1. Facilitate communication within CNS
            2. Various subtypes in different CNS regions
      3. Synaptic Transmission
         1. Chemical synapses
            1. Neurotransmitter release and uptake
            2. Synaptic cleft and postsynaptic response
         2. Electrical synapses
            1. Direct ionic flow via gap junctions
            2. Roles in synchronization of neuronal activity
         3. Plastic changes
            1. Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD)
            2. Role in learning and memory
   2. Glial Cells
      1. Astrocytes
         1. Maintenance of extracellular environment
         2. Regulation of neurotransmitter clearance
         3. Interaction with blood-brain barrier
         4. Contribution to synaptic support and plasticity
      2. Oligodendrocytes
         1. Myelination in the Central Nervous System
         2. Differences from Schwann cells
         3. Role in axonal support and metabolic function
      3. Schwann Cells
         1. Myelination in the Peripheral Nervous System
         2. Types: myelinating and non-myelinating Schwann cells
         3. Role in nerve regeneration
      4. Microglia
         1. Immune surveillance in the CNS
         2. Response to infection and injury
         3. Phagocytosis of debris and synaptic pruning
   3. Other Cell Types
      1. Ependymal Cells
         1. Lining of the ventricular system
         2. Production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
      2. Radial Glial Cells
         1. Role in neural development
         2. Scaffold for migrating neurons
         3. Transformation into other glial types post-development
      3. Satellite Cells
         1. Similarity to astrocytes in the peripheral nervous system
         2. Supportive roles in ganglia
      4. Perivascular Macrophages
         1. Immune functions within CNS vasculature
         2. Differentiation from microglia and roles in repair
      5. Enteric Glial Cells
         1. Found in the enteric nervous system
         2. Involvement in gastrointestinal regulation
         3. Interaction with neurons in the gut
   4. Dynamic Interactions Between Cells
      1. Neuroglial interactions and impact on function
      2. Cross-talk during neuroinflammation
      3. Reciprocal influence in health and disease
   5. Role in Disease
      1. Neuronal and glial involvement in neurodegenerative diseases
      2. Autoimmune processes and glial cell defense
      3. Potential for cellular therapies and regenerative medicine