Neurological diseases as primary gliopathies: a reassessment of neurocentrism

0385666 - ÚEM 2013 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Verkhratsky, A. - Sofroniew, M. V. - Messing, A. - deLanerolle, N. C. - Rempe, D. - Rodríguez Arellano, Jose Julio - Nedergaard, M.
Neurological diseases as primary gliopathies: a reassessment of neurocentrism.
ASN Neuro. Roč. 4, č. 3 (2012), e00082. ISSN 1759-0914. E-ISSN 1759-0914
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA309/09/1696; GA ČR(CZ) GAP304/11/0184; GA ČR GA305/08/1384; GA ČR GA309/08/1381
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50390703
Institutional support: RVO:68378041
Keywords : aging * astrocyte * brain
Subject RIV: FH - Neurology
Impact factor: 3.638, year: 2012

Diseases of the human brain are almost universally attributed to malfunction or loss of nerve cells. We endeavour a broad overviewing of the progress in the field and forward the idea that loss of homoeostatic astroglial function leads to an acute loss of neurons in the setting of acute insults such as ischaemia, whereas more subtle dysfunction of astrocytes over periods of months to years contributes to epilepsy and to progressive loss of neurons in neurodegenerative diseases. The majority of therapeutic drugs currently in clinical use target neuronal receptors, channels or transporters. Future therapeutic efforts may benefit by a stronger focus on the supportive homoeostatic functions of astrocytes.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0215095