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Publication Detail

Title: Role of astrocytes in brain function and disease.

Authors: Sidoryk-Wegrzynowicz, Marta; Wegrzynowicz, Michal; Lee, Eunsook; Bowman, Aaron B; Aschner, Michael

Published In Toxicol Pathol, (2011 Jan)

Abstract: Astrocytes assume multiple roles in maintaining an optimally suited milieu for neuronal function. Select astrocytic functions include the maintenance of redox potential, the production of trophic factors, the regulation of neurotransmitter and ion concentrations, and the removal of toxins and debris from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Impairments in these and other functions, as well as physiological reactions of astrocytes to injury, can trigger or exacerbate neuronal dysfunction. This review addresses select metabolic interactions between neurons and astrocytes and emphasizes the role of astrocytes in mediating and amplifying the progression of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), hepatic encephalopathy (HE), hyperammonemia (HA), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and ischemia.

PubMed ID: 21075920 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Alzheimer Disease/pathology; Animals; Astrocytes/metabolism*; Brain/pathology*; Hepatic Encephalopathy/pathology; Humans; Nervous System Physiological Phenomena*; Neurons/metabolism; Neurotransmitter Agents*/metabolism; Parkinson Disease/pathology

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