glial tissue

glial tissue

Binding or connective tissue, especially in the nervous system. The glial cells of the brain, long believed to have only a supporting, nutritional and antipathogenic role, are now known to communicate with neurons and with one another, to have a function in the formation of synapses, and can determine which neural connections become stronger or weaker over time. It thus appears that glial cells are as important in thinking, learning and in the emotions as are neurons. Almost all intrinsic brain tumours are neoplasms of glial cells.