Biomaterial Database

Calcium in the brain under physiological and pathological conditions. 1990

B K Siesjö

Laboratory of Experimental Brain Research, Lund University Hospital, Sweden.

This paper reviews the role of calcium in the brain under physiological and pathological conditions. Calcium is a ubiquitous first and second messenger, and a regulator of metabolic pathways, serving the purpose of transforming external messages into the appropriate cellular metabolic responses. At least three voltage-sensitive calcium channels (L, T and N) are involved as well as agonist-operated calcium channels (AOCCs). The latter are the major contributors to postsynaptic calcium entry, the majority being gated by glutamate receptors. Intracellular release occurs from endoplasmatic reticulum and other sites (calcisomes). The calcium hypothesis of cell necrosis postulates that whenever free intracellular calcium concentrations become pathologically enhanced, calcium-activated reactions may become uncontrolled adversely altering cell functioning and disrupting cellular structures. Excessive calcium influx is now thought to occur primarily via AOCCs, more particularly those activated by glutamate.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D001927	Brain Diseases	Pathologic conditions affecting the BRAIN, which is composed of the intracranial components of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. This includes (but is not limited to) the CEREBRAL CORTEX; intracranial white matter; BASAL GANGLIA; THALAMUS; HYPOTHALAMUS; BRAIN STEM; and CEREBELLUM.	Intracranial Central Nervous System Disorders,Brain Disorders,CNS Disorders, Intracranial,Central Nervous System Disorders, Intracranial,Central Nervous System Intracranial Disorders,Encephalon Diseases,Encephalopathy,Intracranial CNS Disorders,Brain Disease,Brain Disorder,CNS Disorder, Intracranial,Encephalon Disease,Encephalopathies,Intracranial CNS Disorder
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man