Main description:

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.

Contents:

Introduction to Cluster A: Functional Biomarkers at the Interface. Mature Protoplasmic Mammalian Astrocytes: Morphology, Interrelationships, and Implications for Function. Biomarkers of Astrocyte Microdomains: Focus on Gap Junctions, Purinergic Receptors, and Aquaporins. Adhesion Molecules and their Function in Astrocyte Polarity. Contribution of Astrocytes to CNS Immunity: Roles of Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs). Introduction to Cluster B: Establishment of Functional Units:Multimodality at the Tips. Neuroglial Networks: Glial Wiring Also Matters. Astrocyte-Neuron Communication: What Goes Wrong in Pathology? Blood-Brain Barrier and the Neural Vascular Unit. Oligodendrocytes: Gateway to the Panglial Syncytium. Microglia and Non-CNS Cells in Paracrine Signaling and CNS Immunity: Effects of Pathogens, Age, and Life History. CNS Pathology: Disruption of Astrocyte Connectivity: Introduction. Astrocytes in Epilepsy. Astrocyte Involvement in the Acquired Demyelinating. The Role of Glial Pathology in Autism. Astrocytes in Major Depressive Disorder and Schizophrenia: Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Aspects. Index.