© 2011 – CRC Press
440 pages | 16 Color Illus. | 44 B/W Illus.
Astrocytes play diverse roles in central nervous system (CNS) function and dysfunction, and the connections that the astrocyte makes with other cells of the brain are essential for a variety of important neural tasks. Bringing together contributions from international experts at the top of their field, Astrocytes: Wiring the Brain emphasizes cellular connections and surveys the most current findings on astrocyte activity.
The first section of the book identifies major astrocyte biomarkers and describes how they define the different connectivity domains. Next, the book examines the role of these connections. It explains how their function can be manipulated under physiological conditions and how dysfunction of the connectivity leads to aberrant brain performance. The final section explores the alterations of glia that have been observed in specific diseases of the brain. These include epilepsy, autoimmune encephalitis, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and major depression. The book identifies key mechanisms responsible for these alterations.
An important and emerging field, astrocytes and their functions are critical to neuroscientists and neurologists, both in academia and in industry, particularly in the search for and development of new drugs to combat a variety of diseases affecting the CNS. As research continues to grow in this area, this volume will spur heightened advances and understanding into the effects of these neural cells on a range of pathologies.
Introduction to Cluster A: Functional Biomarkers at the Interface
Mature Protoplasmic Mammalian Astrocytes: Morphology, Interrelationships, and Implications for Function; H. K. Kimelberg
Biomarkers of Astrocyte Microdomains: Focus on Gap Junctions, Purinergic Receptors, and Aquaporins; E. Scemes and G. P. Nicchia
Adhesion Molecules and their Function in Astrocyte Polarity; S. Carbonetto, E. Camand, and S. Etienne-Manneville
Contribution of Astrocytes to CNS Immunity: Roles of Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs); N. Esen and T. Kielian
Introduction to Cluster B: Establishment of Functional Units: Multimodality at the Tips
Neuroglial Networks: Glial Wiring Also Matters; C. Giaume
Astrocyte-Neuron Communication: What Goes Wrong in Pathology? D. Rossi and A. Volterra
Blood-Brain Barrier and the Neural Vascular Unit; R. Dermietzel and D. C. Spray
Oligodendrocytes: Gateway to the Panglial Syncytium; K. G. V. Davidson and J. E. Rash
Microglia and Non-CNS Cells in Paracrine Signaling and CNS Immunity: Effects of Pathogens, Age, and Life History; E. H. Wilson and M. J. Carson
CNS Pathology: Disruption of Astrocyte Connectivity: Introduction
Astrocytes in Epilepsy; C. Steinhäuser and G. Seifert
Astrocyte Involvement in the Acquired Demyelinating Diseases; S. E. Lutz, C. S. Raine, and C. Brosnan
Neuroglia in Alzheimer’s Disease; J. J. Rodríguez Arellano, C. Matute and A. Verkhratsky
The Role of Glial Pathology in Autism; R. E. Kneeland, S. B. Liesch, T. D. Folsom, and S. H. Fatemi
Astrocytes in Major Depressive Disorder and Schizophrenia: Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Aspects; M. J. Schwarz and A.-M. Myint