title: Role of astrocytes in brain function and disease.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-0414, USA.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sidoryk-Wegrzynowicz
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wegrzynowicz
authors.forename: Eunsook
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Aaron B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aschner
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents