Brain Transmissions, Functions and Holistic Efficiencies

The Importance of Gliotransmitters for Brain Function, Plus Cognitive and Motor Efficiencies

Gliotransmitters are neurochemicals released by glial cells. They support communication between neurons and other glial cells, a process often activated by calcium ion signalling (Agulhon, Fiacco, and McCarthy, 2010; Halassa, Fellin, and Haydon, 2007).

Although astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes can release gliotransmitters, they are mainly released by astrocytes (Halassa and colleagues, 2007). Because of their star-shaped form with many branching extensions, astrocytes can interact with many synapses. This, in turn, increases the number of neural connections and boosts neural complexity, resulting in better transmission capacity (Halassa and colleagues, 2007).

While gliotransmission mostly occurs between astrocytes and neurons, gliotransmission also happens among motor nerve terminals, plus Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system, and also in the retina. The glial cells in the retina are radial glial cells, also known as Müller cells (Parea and Araque, 2005). Alongside this type of glial cell, there are specialized radial astrocytes known as Bergmann cells (Newman, 2003).

Bergmann Cells, Purkinje Cells, Granule Cells, and Migration

Bergmann cells are present during the earliest stages of development. In terms of neurological benefits, Bergmann cells can also be observed in the adult brain, providing advantages in brain plasticity and overall function that can persist into mature age. This offers ongoing benefits in cognition and what can be called societal maturity for all of us who will eventually become senior members of society. Anatomically, Bergmann cells have numerous radial branches, similar to those of Purkinje and granule cells (Xu, Yang, Tang, Zhao, Liang, Xu, Hou, and colleagues, 2013).

Bergman glial cells originate from radial glial cells and support the radial migration of granule cells by providing a platform for movement and facilitating interactions between Bergmann cells and granule cells. The migration of granule glia cells influences the cerebellum’s laminar structure, which, in turn, affects its function (Xu, Yang, Tang, Zhao, Liang, Xu, Hou, and colleagues, 2013).

The cerebellum

The cerebellum, which is the Latin term for “little brain,” is situated at the base of the brain. Although it comprises only about 10 percent of the brain’s volume, it surprisingly contains over 50 percent of the total neurons in the brain (Knierim, 2015; Wolf, Rapoport, and Schweizer, 2009).

This 50 percent figure highlights the cerebellum’s comprehensive significance. The full range of this holistic neuron potential can be understood through the cerebellum’s functions, which include maintaining balance and posture, coordinating voluntary movements, supporting motor learning, and aiding cognitive functions (Knierim, 2015; Wolf, Rapoport, and Schweizer, 2009).

In terms of maintenance and balance, the cerebellum also produces all the postural changes of the body as required. This is achieved through the vestibular receptors and proprioceptors, where commands are sent to the motor neurons to adjust for any changes that occur in the body’s movement (Knierim, 2015).

When voluntary movement occurs, the muscles work together to achieve smooth, coordinated, and seamless motion. A key aspect of this process is that the cerebellum can organise and coordinate the timing, enabling all these muscles to function in unison to produce effortless, smooth, and seamless movements (Knierim, 2015).

This seamless movement efficiency cannot and would not be achieved unless motor learning is taking place, and the cerebellum plays a crucial role in this process. The cerebellum continually refines all motor movements with smooth efficiency through a trial-and-error approach (Knierim, 2015).

This trial-and-error process, along with persistent neurological and neuromuscular firing and rewiring, helps enhance overall neurophysiological efficiency in the cerebellum and the neurological and neuromuscular efficiency of the brain and body. These new movement efficiencies contribute to the development of higher-level skill efficiency. To achieve these improvements, consistent practice, perseverance, and time are essential and universal requirements. (Knierim, 2015).

Although these motor commands do not originate in the cerebellum, the cerebellum guides neuron firings to make transmissions and their connections smoother, more efficient, and seamlessly successful for the brain and body as a whole (Coyle, 2009; Knierim, 2015; Purnell, 2015).

As Claxton (2015, p. 5) informs, the body and brain are “designed to blend all’ internal and external influences into one seamless, holistic entity.

The Legend Sugar Ray Robinson Working with John Famechon

Here we see John Famechon working on the heavy bag, practising, perfecting, and fine-tuning his neurological pathways and motor skills as Sugar Ray Robinson (regarded as the greatest “pound-for-pound” boxer in history) holds the bag for him.

Each trial, attempt, application, and adjustment offers an opportunity for improvement and the potential for perfection to be realized. Ambrose Palmer, John’s trainer and manager, often told John that only through effort, persistence, and recognizing mistakes could he possibly reach the point where effortless perfection becomes a regular achievement.

From a neuroscience perspective, in terms of skill development and seamless perfection, Coyle (2009) declared that “[t]he more we fire a particular circuit, the more myelin optimizes that circuit, and the stronger, faster, and more fluent our movements and thoughts become (Coyle, 2009, p. 32). Therefore, according to Coyle (2009, p. 44), “it’s time to rewrite the maxim that practice makes perfect. The truth is, practice makes myelin, and myelin makes perfect” (Coyle, 2009, p. 44).

According to Arden (2010), perfection always appears effortless. “The body and the brain follow natural laws, and the natural law that applies to the concept of effortlessness is called the Law of the Conservation of Energy” (Arden, 2010, p. 19). The display of elite performance and effortless efficiency movement also involves Purkinje cells, Bergmann cells, radial cells, neuroepithelial cells, and neurons (Malatesta, Hartfuss, and Götz, 2000; Vigot and Batini, 1997).

Could the same elite performance training principles, along with the later use of a new complex, brain-based multi-movement therapy (following John’s accident), also have contributed to John’s eventual recovery?