Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Concept Videos

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

Overview
G-protein Coupled Receptors01:21

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.
Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over time, all...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Density of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes is decreased in left hippocampi in major depressive disorder.

Neuroscience·2016
Same author

Prenatal infection decreases calbindin, decreases Purkinje cell volume and density and produces long-term motor deficits in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Developmental neuroscience·2010
Same author

A functional alternative splicing mutation in human tryptophan hydroxylase-2.

Molecular psychiatry·2010
Same author

Cytoarchitectonic and chemoarchitectonic characterization of the prefrontal cortical areas in the mouse.

Brain structure & function·2010
Same author

Consequences of large interindividual variability for human brain atlases: converging macroscopical imaging and microscopical neuroanatomy.

Anatomy and embryology·2005
Same author

Cellular pathology in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex distinguishes schizophrenia from bipolar disorder.

Current molecular medicine·2003
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

An In Vitro Model for the Study of Cellular Pathophysiology in Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy
07:45

An In Vitro Model for the Study of Cellular Pathophysiology in Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy

Published on: October 21, 2014

Gliogenesis and glial pathology in depression.

G Rajkowska1, J J Miguel-Hidalgo

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USA. grajkowska@psychiatry.umsmed.edu

CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug Targets
|May 22, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Glia are now understood as active brain partners, not just support cells. Research shows glial cell loss in depression, suggesting glia as a potential therapeutic target for mood disorders.

More Related Videos

Biomarker Identification for Gender Specificity of Alzheimer's Disease Based on the Glial Transcriptome Profiles
04:22

Biomarker Identification for Gender Specificity of Alzheimer's Disease Based on the Glial Transcriptome Profiles

Published on: May 20, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

An In Vitro Model for the Study of Cellular Pathophysiology in Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy
07:45

An In Vitro Model for the Study of Cellular Pathophysiology in Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy

Published on: October 21, 2014

Biomarker Identification for Gender Specificity of Alzheimer's Disease Based on the Glial Transcriptome Profiles
04:22

Biomarker Identification for Gender Specificity of Alzheimer's Disease Based on the Glial Transcriptome Profiles

Published on: May 20, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Glia were traditionally viewed as passive support cells for neurons.
  • Emerging research highlights glia's active roles in brain metabolism and neural communication.
  • Glia are increasingly implicated in the neuropathology of mood disorders like depression and bipolar illness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of glial cells in the neuropathology of mood disorders.
  • To explore how factors like stress and neurotransmitter imbalances affect glial cells in depression.
  • To assess the potential of glia as a therapeutic target for mood disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent research on glial cell function and dysfunction in mood disorders.
  • Analysis of studies reporting glial cell density and ultrastructural changes in depressed subjects.
  • Consideration of molecular and environmental factors influencing glial cell activity.

Main Results:

  • Significant reductions in glial cell density observed in fronto-limbic regions of patients with major depression and bipolar illness.
  • Decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive astrocytes and GFAP protein levels in the prefrontal cortex of younger depressed individuals.
  • Reduced density and altered ultrastructure of oligodendrocytes found in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala in depression.

Conclusions:

  • Glial cell deficits, particularly in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, may contribute to altered neurotransmission and white matter disruption in mood disorders.
  • Factors such as stress and altered gene expression can modify glial cell number and function, impacting neurophysiology in depression.
  • Glia represent a promising new target for therapeutic interventions in mood disorder treatment.