Roles of white matter in central nervous system pathophysiologies.
The phylogenetic enlargement of cerebral cortex culminating in the human brain imposed greater communication needs that have been met by the massive expansion of WM (white matter). Damage to WM alters brain function, and numerous neurological diseases feature WM involvement. In the current review, we discuss the major features of WM, the contributions of WM compromise to brain pathophysiology, and some of the mechanisms mediating WM injury. We will emphasize the newly appreciated importance of neurotransmitter signalling in WM, particularly glutamate and ATP signalling, to understanding both normal and abnormal brain functions. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms leading to WM damage will generate much-needed insights for developing therapies for acute and chronic diseases with WM involvement.
Departamento de Neurociencias and CIBERNED, Universidad del Pas Vasco, Leioa, Spain. carlos.matute@ehu.es
Carlos
C
Matute
Bruce R
BR
Ransom
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate