Blood – More Than What It Seems Shagun Mohan

Blood is commonly known as a fluid that carries oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and carries waste products away. It flows throughout the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries. However, MIT scientists propose that blood is more than solely a physiological support system. Blood may help us think. Christopher Moore, a principle investigator in the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, says, “Blood actively modulates how neurons process information.” Localized changes in blood flow affect the activity of nearby neurons, changing how they transmit signals to each other. They therefore are crucial in regulating information flow throughout the brain.

The important and obvious question is how can blood flow affect brain activity? Blood contains diffusible factors that could leak out of vessels to affect neural activity; changes to blood volume could affect the concentration of these factors. Also, neurons and cells called “glia,” which provide support and nutrition, help maintain homeostasis and participate in signal transmission in the nervous system, may react to the mechanical forces of blood vessel expansion and contraction. In addition, blood influences the temperature of brain tissue, which also affects neural activity.

From the research so far, I think that scientists have opened an exciting, brand new chapter in science. Since blood has never been perceived as having a role such as this, it may lead to a completely new understanding of how the brain functions. I believe that scientists can successfully explore this area of science in depth. New discoveries can be made from this new knowledge about the connection with blood and the brain, besides the already established one. With the latest technology and knowledge, what is there to stop scientists from creating new discoveries and possibly cures?

References:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Blood May Help Us Think." ScienceDaily 17 January 2008. 23 February 2008.

2. http://www.sandhurstjoggers.org.uk/3-HealthAdvice/blood_cells.jpg