title: Astrocytes and developmental plasticity in fragile X.
abstract: A growing body of research indicates a pivotal role for astrocytes at the developing synapse. In particular, astrocytes are dynamically involved in governing synapse structure, function, and plasticity. In the postnatal brain, their appearance at synapses coincides with periods of developmental plasticity when neural circuits are refined and established. Alterations in the partnership between astrocytes and neurons have now emerged as important mechanisms that underlie neuropathology. With overall synaptic function standing as a prominent link to the expression of the disease phenotype in a number of neurodevelopmental disorders and knowing that astrocytes influence synapse development and function, this paper highlights the current knowledge of astrocyte biology with a focus on their involvement in fragile X syndrome.
authors: Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, HSC 1R1, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1.
authors: Connie
authors: C
authors: Cheng
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Sourial
authors: Laurie C
authors: LC
authors: Doering
mesh_terms: D001253:Astrocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D051860:Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 / Q000235:genetics; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D051860:Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1