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Gliotransmission in physiologic and pathologic conditions
1Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|March 23, 2025
Summary
Gliotransmission, the release of signaling molecules by astrocytes, is crucial for normal brain function and implicated in psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Targeting gliotransmission offers potential therapeutic strategies for conditions like depression, Alzheimer's, and epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cellular Biology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Gliotransmission, mediated by astrocytes releasing neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA, regulates neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity.
- Astrocytic gliotransmission is essential for maintaining neural homeostasis under physiological conditions.
- Dysregulation of gliotransmission is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor in various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted roles of gliotransmission in both normal brain function and pathological conditions.
- To investigate the involvement of astrocytic gliotransmission in psychiatric disorders such as major depression and schizophrenia.
- To examine the impact of gliotransmission dysfunction on neurologic disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on gliotransmission and its involvement in neurological and psychiatric conditions.
- Analysis of the mechanisms by which astrocytes modulate neuronal activity through gliotransmitter release.
- Examination of correlative and causative links between altered gliotransmission and disease phenotypes.
Main Results:
- Astrocytic gliotransmission maintains excitatory-inhibitory balance, influencing synaptic plasticity and cognition.
- Aberrant gliotransmission contributes to major depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder.
- Specific gliotransmitters (glutamate, GABA, d-serine) and their dysregulation are linked to distinct disease pathologies and symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Gliotransmission plays a pivotal role in maintaining neural homeostasis.
- Dysregulated gliotransmission is a common pathological feature across a spectrum of psychiatric and neurologic disorders.
- Modulating gliotransmission represents a promising therapeutic avenue for treating these debilitating conditions.
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