title: Astrocytes and brain injury.
abstract: Astrocytes are the most numerous cell type in the central nervous system. They provide structural, trophic, and metabolic support to neurons and modulate synaptic activity. Accordingly, impairment in these astrocyte functions during brain ischemia and other insults can critically influence neuron survival. Astrocyte functions that are known to influence neuronal survival include glutamate uptake, glutamate release, free radical scavenging, water transport, and the production of cytokines and nitric oxide. Long-term recovery after brain injury, through neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, or neuron regeneration, is influenced by astrocyte surface molecule expression and trophic factor release. In addition, the death or survival of astrocytes themselves may affect the ultimate clinical outcome and rehabilitation through effects on neurogenesis and synaptic reorganization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, California 94121, USA.
authors.forename: Yongmei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Raymond A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000503:physiopathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D011188:Potassium