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Brain Cell Communication: Why its so fast
Science Daily
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100921111000.htm

Scientist from the universities of Copenhagen have been studying brain cell communication. When you nerve cells transmit signals slowly this can lead to mental disorders like schizophrenia, Parkinson's Disease and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The scientists have discovered how brain cells transmit signals and interacts with each other. The cells use small neurotransmitters that pass on molecular messages. The scientists have also discovered that cells with only one set of SNARE (linking bridges) can connect with each other, but it takes a lot longer. According to Professor Jakob Balsev Sørensen they are going to study why some reactions are slower and if our cells do that on purpose and what kind of affect it has.
This is a very important discovery that could have a great influence in medical history. If they can figure out how to add more linking bridges in cells than that could help cure some genetic diseases and sharpen peoples reflexes. This discovery could be used in the military to help train soldiers to have quicker reflexes so they can react faster if they are in danger. Lots of genetic problems cause difficulties for many people all over the world, this new technology could help cure them.Right now these experiments are in the early stages, so it will take a while to develop the technology, but when they do it could have a very big affect on society and medicine.
This article was based on studies at the Universities of Copenhagen, Göttingen and Amsterdam. I learned that the nerve cells have could several SNARE bridges in them that transport biochemicals to the bran using neurotransmitters. While this article was very interesting I'm still not sure what SNARE stands for, I know they are little "bridges" that the information is sent through. I also learned that the number of bridges influence how fast cells can fuse and send signals. Also, can you insert the connector bridges into other cells, or is that impossible? Overall this was a very interesting article with lots of fascination information.
I chose this article because I am really interested in genetics and the nervous system as well as recent developments in medicine. I never knew that some cells had multiple bridges to other cells and that that causes the speed of the reaction. I agree with the author, this discovery has a lot of potential. If it is studied enough it could possibly increase our understanding of the nervous system and help cure many diseases. In conclusion, this discovery could help save lives by curing diseases.