You must have long-range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short-range failures. ~Charles C. Noble
Scientists are learning more about astrocytes and their role in the ability of morphine to lessen pain and cause addiction.
In the study, scientists pointed out that everyone thought astrocytes – the brain’s most abundant cells – as the brain’s supporting actors. Scientists believed astrocytes simply propped up neurons and kept them in their place. Studies during the last several years suggest that astrocytes are just as their Greek name suggests – stars.
The scientists added morphine to a group of astrocytes in cell culture for several days. The scientists learned that the cells exposed to morphine showed higher levels of nine proteins that seem to play a role in maintaining normal function of nerve cells.
“These proteins, after additional detailed study of their function, may serve as a potential marker of drug addiction, or may be the targets for potential therapy,” said one of the researchers.
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