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Related Concept Videos

Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

Overview
Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells01:31

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that interact...
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology01:21

Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology

Cytotoxic edema is a form of cerebral edema characterized by intracellular swelling of neurons, astrocytes, and other glial cells. It develops when the mechanisms responsible for maintaining ionic gradients across the cell membrane become impaired. Under normal physiological conditions, the sodium–potassium ATPase actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, preserving osmotic balance and enabling electrical signaling. This pump requires a continuous supply...
Nervous Tissue: Myelin01:25

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

The myelin sheath is a multilayered lipid and protein covering that insulates the axon of a neuron, enhancing the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Axons without this sheath are referred to as unmyelinated. Two types of neuroglia, Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) are responsible for producing myelin sheaths.
Schwann cells begin to form myelin sheaths around axons during fetal development. They wrap around a small...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...

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Glial cells in (patho)physiology.

Vladimir Parpura1, Michael T Heneka, Vedrana Montana

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Civitan International Research Center, Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanotechnology Laboratories, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA. vlad@uab.edu

Journal of Neurochemistry
|January 19, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Astroglia, crucial brain cells, maintain homeostasis and support neurons in the tripartite synapse. They also play roles in neurological diseases and brain tumors, highlighting many unknowns in glial cell function.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Glial Cell Biology

Background:

  • Neuroglial cells, particularly astrocytes, are essential for maintaining brain homeostasis and defending against pathological insults.
  • Astrocytes regulate neurogenesis, brain circuit development, and form the tripartite synapse with neurons.
  • At synapses, astrocytes manage ion and neurotransmitter balance, provide metabolic support, and monitor neuronal activity via calcium signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of astrocytes in normal brain function.
  • To explore the involvement of astrocytes in the progression and outcomes of neurological diseases.
  • To highlight current knowledge gaps and future research directions in glial cell biology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of neuroglial cell function.
  • Analysis of astrocyte roles in synaptic plasticity and neuronal support.
  • Examination of astrocyte involvement in Alzheimer's disease and glial tumors.

Main Results:

  • Astrocytes exhibit excitability through intracellular calcium signals, leading to gliotransmitter release via exocytosis.
  • Gliotransmitters released by astrocytes modulate synaptic plasticity and influence behavior.
  • Astrocytes are implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease and facilitate the invasiveness of glial tumors.

Conclusions:

  • Astrocytes are key players in both physiological brain functions and the pathogenesis of neurological disorders.
  • Understanding astrocyte signaling is critical for developing therapeutic strategies for brain diseases and tumors.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex functions of astrocytes in health and disease.