Full Description
This is a second edition of a book that provides an overview of the most current findings on the diverse roles played by astrocytes in the function and dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), with emphasis on their cellular connections. Astrocytes are highly elaborated cells and likely the only neural cells that simultaneously establish associations with different cellular types. The fine processes of astrocytes are found in practically all nearby cellular types in the CNS, including astrocytes themselves, neurons, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and brain endothelial cells. Such close morphological associations, together with the fact that astrocytes express a multitude of ion channels, transporters, and membrane receptors, endow these cells with the unique capability to sense and influence diverse CNS functions. Disruption of these elaborated connections and altered astrocyte polarization are implicated in numerous pathological conditions, such as epilepsy, stroke, leukodystrophies, Alzheimer's, and autism, and also certain psychiatric disorders, major depression, and schizophrenia.
Contents
Chapter 1 What is an Astrocyte?: Diversity of Structures and Functions Chapter 2 Gap Junctions and Aquaporins Chapter 3 Adhesion Molecules in Astrocytes Chapter 4 Multi-scale Astrocyte-Neuron Communication Chapter 5 Blood-Brain Barrier and the Neural-Vascular Unit Chapter 6 Oligodendrocytes: Gateway to the Panglial Syncytium Chapter 7 Critical Role of Astrocytes in the Development of Epilepsy Chapter 8 The Role of Glial Pathology in Autism Spectrum Disorders Chapter 9 Astrocytes in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Chapter 10 Astrocytes in Stroke Chapter 11 Astrocytes in Depression: Insights from Postmortem Human Studies and Animal Models
