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Role of astrocytes in major neurological disorders: The evidence and implications
Author(s) -
Scuderi Caterina,
Stecca Claudia,
Iacomino Aniello,
Steardo Luca
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.1223
Subject(s) - neuroscience , astrocyte , homeostasis , pathogenesis , biology , medicine , bioinformatics , central nervous system , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology
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. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(12):957–961, 2013.