The researchers of that academic entity verified that for the formation of an axon to be feasible, a prolongation that allows the communication between neurons, the activation of a specific receiver is indispensable.

The work, published in the latest edition of the international magazine ' Nature Neuroscience ' indicates that to develop a mature nervous system, the neurons must experience a change process, call differentiation that consists fundamentally in the growth of prolongations (axons and dendrites). From the contact between axons and dendrites or the body of another neuron (synapse), are made up the neuronal networks which allow the communication and circulation of electrical impulses to transmit information.

The scientists of the Cordova University found one of the mechanisms that affect the generation of axons and, according to declarations by one of the authors of the study, Santiago Quiroga, "we discovered that for them to form, it is essential that a receptor molecule denominated ' insulin one simile growth factor" be present.

After making different experiments that aimed to block the activation of the mice hippocampus neurons receptors, the specialists observed that, if that molecule was not present, it is impossible to develop axons.

The scientist considered of "great important" to find and to study the mechanisms that govern these neuronal processes, because at the present time neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer and Parkinson, are very common, and this obeys "to the increasing ageing of the population".

He explained that because death is taking place at a more advanced age, the number of people with this type of pathologies increases considerably.

The work points out in addition that, within this context, to know the steps involved in the change of the neurons, among which is the necessary conditions for the formation of axons, lays the way forward for a possible treatment of these nervous system diseases.

It is also indicated that "if undifferentiated cells are transplanted in the brain it is feasible for the prolongations to be generated and thus to establish the appropriate conditions for their good operation".

The report indicates that "10 billion neurons communicated among themselves conforms the brain of an adult human" and explains that "the neuronal difference takes place basically during the fetal development; although there are certain regions of the nervous system where the neurons are able to change and to generate connections in the adult life, like the olfactory system and other areas related to the learning processes and memory".