A neuron is a cell which is part of the nervous system. Neurons send messages to and from the brain.
[technical]
Information is transferred along each neuron by means of an electrical impulse.
2. See also motor neurone disease
neuron in American English
(ˈnʊrˌɑn; ˈnjʊrɑn)
noun
the structural and functional unit of the nervous system, consisting of the nerve cell body and all its processes, including an axon and one or more dendrites
: also ˈneuˌrone (ˈnʊˌroʊn; ˈnjuˌroʊn)
Derived forms
neuronal (ˈneuronal) (ˈnʊrənəl; ˈnjʊrənəl)
adjective or neuˈronic (nuˈrɑnɪk; njuˈrɑnɪk)
Word origin
ModL < Gr neuron, nerve
Examples of 'neuron' in a sentence
neuron
These colours make it much easier to trace neurons in the brain.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The technique involves using a weak electrical current to change the sensitivity of neurons in the brain.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The most important cells in our brains are the neurons.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
One idea is that in the female brain neurons have more and better connections.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is found in cells surrounding neurons in the brain and is released when they are damaged.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Going on foot fires up neurons in the brain that ease stress.
The Sun (2013)
It's too early to tell just how significant the discovery of mirror neurons is.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
When the neurons in your brain are active, two things happen.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The treatment sends magnetic pulses across the brain, targeting neurons linked to mood.
The Sun (2015)
In the young brain, damaged neurons can be replaced by others.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
By adding neurons or stem cells, we can discover if it helps retain or lose memory.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Who we are is part of a continuing narrative, the product of the relationship between neurons in the brain.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For example, different people possess different numbers of mirror neurons, which effectively control their capacity for empathy.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This is because neurons ( brain cells that conduct electrical impulses) become fatigued after many hours of activity during the day.
The Sun (2015)
They may also slow the deterioration of the fibres that ferry signals between the brain 's neurons, which decay around middle age.
The Sun (2016)
Much like neurons after a brain INJURY, the information tends to find another route.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
neuron
British English: neuron NOUN
A neuron is a cell which is part of the nervous system. Neurons send messages to and from the brain.
Information is transferred along each neuron by means of an electrical impulse.