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Stress‐induced structural and functional modifications of astrocytes—Further implicating glia in the central response to stress
Author(s) -
MurphyRoyal Ciaran,
Gordon Grant R.,
Bains Jaideep S.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.23610
Subject(s) - neuroscience , astrocyte , biology , neuroglia , fight or flight response , neuroplasticity , chronic stress , central nervous system , stress (linguistics) , linguistics , philosophy , gene , biochemistry
An organism's response to stress requires activation of multiple brain regions. This can have long‐lasting effects on synaptic transmission and plasticity that likely provide adaptive benefits. Recent evidence implicates not only neurones, but also glial cells in the regulation of the central response to stress. Intense, repeated or uncontrolled stress has been implicated in the emergence of multiple neuropsychiatric conditions. Human studies have consistently observed glial dysfunction in mood and stress disorders such as major depression. Interestingly animal models of stress have recapitulated glial abnormalities that are comparable to the human condition, validating the use of rodent models for the study of stress disorders. In this review we will focus upon one family of glia, the astrocytes, and describe the evidence to date that links astrocytes to possible stress‐related disorders.