Author/Editor     Verkhratsky, Alexei; Parpura, Vladimir
Title     Recent advances in (patho)physiology of astroglia
Type     članek
Vol. and No.     Letnik 31, št. 11
Publication year     2010
Volume     str. 1044-1054
ISSN     1745-7254 - Acta pharmacologica Sinica
Language     eng
Abstract     Our view of astrocytes in the operation of the brain is changing dramatically over the last 3 decades. Astroglial calcium excitability controls the release of gliotransmitters, which can occur at the tripartite synapse. Astrocytes not only modulate synaptic transmis - sion by releasing and taking up transmitters, but also receiving neuronal signals that act upon astrocytic plasma membrane recep - tors. This process represents the bidirectional neurone-glia communication. Additionally, astrocytes play role in the regulation of blood flow as well as ion and water homeostasis. Many of the brain dysfunctions are primary astropathies, including hepatic encephalopathy and Alexander disease, while other brain malfunctions, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer disease, may have sub - stantial astrocytic contribution. Thus, these star-shaped cells by their roles in (patho)physiology of the brain seem to live up to the expectation one can have from their given name - astrocyte.
Keywords     neuroglia
astrocyte
neuropathology
nevroglija
astrocit
nevropatologija