Author/Editor		Verkhratsky, Alexei; Sofroniew, Michael V.; Messing, Albee; deLanerolle, Nihal C.; Rempe, David; Rodríguez, José J.; Nedergaard, Maiken
Title		Neurological diseases as primary gliopathies
Type		članek
Vol. and No.		Letnik 4, št. 3
Publication year		2012
Volume		str. 131-149
ISSN		1759-0914 - ASN neuro
Language		eng
Abstract		Diseases of the human brain are almost universally attributed to malfunction or loss of nerve cells. However, a considerable amount of work has, during the last decade, expanded our view on the role of astrocytes in CNS (central nervous system), and this analysis suggests that astrocytes contribute to both initiation and propagation of many (if not all) neurological diseases. Astrocytes provide metabolic and trophic support to neurons and oligodendrocytes. Here, we shall endeavour a broad overviewing of the progress in the field and forward the idea that loss of homoeostatic astroglial function leads to an acute loss of neurons in the setting of acute insults such as ischaemia, whereas more subtle dysfunction of astrocytes over periods of months to years contributes to epilepsy and to progressive loss of neurons in neurodegenerative diseases. The majority of therapeutic drugs currently in clinical use target neuronal receptors, channels or transporters. Future therapeutic efforts may benefit by a stronger focus on the supportive homoeostatic functions of astrocytes.
Keywords		aging astrocyte brain staranje astrocit možgani