Relax! Your brain is under tension!!

Joy, Md Saddam Hossain

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132888 Copy

Description

Title

Relax! Your brain is under tension!!

Author(s)

Joy, Md Saddam Hossain

Issue Date

2023

Keyword(s)

Mechanical Science Engineering

Abstract

Have you ever imagined that the neurons in our brains possess the power to produce mechanical force? Even as you read these words, the neurons in your brain are straining under tension! My research goal is to measure the tensile force that a network of neurons can produce and investigate whether such tension dictates their functions. Astrocytes, neighbors to the neurons, provide critical support for the emergence of this remarkable network. Through the use of an ultra-sensitive force sensor, I have measured the force of a network of only a few hundred rat hippocampal neurons which is on the order of 100 Nanonewtons. Extrapolating from this data, one can infer that the force generated by the approximate 86 billion neurons in the human brain would be sufficient to lift a weight of one kilogram! Astonishingly, I have also discovered that if the force of this neuronal network is disrupted, the neurons can no longer function. Their firing rate drops significantly. In this picture, you are seeing the network of rat hippocampal neurons (red) surrounded by the supporting cell astrocyte (Green).

Type of Resource

• Text
• Image

Language

eng

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132888

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 Md Saddam Hossain Joy

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