Why do nerves get a blood supply?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the reasons why nerves require a blood supply, exploring topics such as cellular respiration, the role of ATP in neuronal function, and the implications of blood supply on neuronal health and structure. It touches on both theoretical and conceptual aspects of neurobiology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether nerves need a blood supply for ATP production to open protein channels for action potentials and how this relates to the extracellular matrix of neurons.
  • Another participant notes that neurons require oxygen and nutrients, implying a direct need for blood supply.
  • A later reply emphasizes that neurons cannot survive long without oxygen, highlighting the urgency of restoring blood supply to prevent irreversible damage.
  • It is mentioned that the ability of neurons to regenerate and repair varies between the central and peripheral nervous systems, with the former being less capable of repair.
  • One participant states that neurons prefer sugars over fats, suggesting that a robust blood supply is necessary to meet their metabolic needs.
  • Another participant corrects a claim about the brain's glucose requirements, stating that the average requirement is approximately 130g of glucose per day, contrasting with a previously mentioned figure of 3 teaspoons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the specifics of neuronal energy needs and the implications of blood supply, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the relationship between blood supply and neuronal health are not fully explored, and the discussion includes varying claims about glucose requirements that may depend on individual definitions and contexts.

sameeralord
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Hello everyone,

I like to know why nerves get a blood supply. Is it because they need ATP to open protein channel to carry out action potential, or is the extra cellular matrix of a neuron determined by the blood supply. If a neuron can not carry out cellular respiration, why would it cause permanent damage to the structure? What I'm asking is if there is a damage to a major artery in the brain and brain doesn't get much blood, why would the structure disintegrate. Is the phospholipid bilayer of cells maintaIned by ATP? Thanks :smile:
 
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A nerve is a bunch of axons. Axon is a part of a cell. A cell needs oxygen and "food"...
 
sameeralord said:
Hello everyone,

I like to know why nerves get a blood supply. Is it because they need ATP to open protein channel to carry out action potential, or is the extra cellular matrix of a neuron determined by the blood supply. If a neuron can not carry out cellular respiration, why would it cause permanent damage to the structure? What I'm asking is if there is a damage to a major artery in the brain and brain doesn't get much blood, why would the structure disintegrate. Is the phospholipid bilayer of cells maintaIned by ATP? Thanks :smile:

Good question!

Neurons are very needy little things. Unlike some other cell types in your body they can't survive long without oxygen (though certain conditions can improve their oxygen deficient life spans, such as temperature).

One the blood supply is cut off the clock is ticking. If the supply returns before the 'point of no return' then often significant neuroregeneration can happen; things like remyelination, regeneration of glia or axons etc.

Depending on where the neurons in question are matters a lot. Neurons of the central nervous system (which includes your brain) aren't given to repair very often (though do under certain circumstances and during early development). In the peripheral nervous system the repair functions work quite well.
 
Neurons are fussy eaters, they prefer sugars and no fats, which if you think about needs a better blood supply to provide enough of.

Low blood sugar reduces your mental capacity. 3 tea spoons of sugar is about all the brain needs for a whole day.
 
Lok said:
Low blood sugar reduces your mental capacity. 3 tea spoons of sugar is about all the brain needs for a whole day.

The actual number for the average requirement of glucose in brain is ~130g of glucose / day, not 3 teaspoons.
 

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