title: Role of astrocytes in major neurological disorders: the evidence and implications.
abstract: Given the huge amount and great complexity of astrocyte functions in the maintenance of brain homeostasis, it is easily understood how alterations in their physiology may be involved in the pathogenesis of many, if not all, neurological disorders. This assumption is strongly supported by accumulated evidence produced in humans and in experimental models of pathology. Based on these considerations, it is reasonable to encourage studies aimed at improving the knowledge about the implicated mechanisms, and astroglial cells can be considered as the innovative target for new, and possibly more effective, drug therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, "Vittorio Erspamer" SAPIENZA, University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scuderi
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stecca
authors.forename: Aniello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iacomino
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Steardo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: astrocyte; neurodegeneration; neuroinflammation; neurological disorders; reactive gliosis