Reactive astrocytes give neurons less support: implications for Alzheimer's disease

Steele, Megan L., and Robinson, Stephen R. (2012) Reactive astrocytes give neurons less support: implications for Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiology of Aging, 33 (2). 423.e. pp. 1-13.

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Abstract

Astrocytes become activated in Alzheimer's disease (AD), contributing to and reinforcing an inflammatory cascade. It is proposed that by transforming from a basal to a reactive state, astrocytes neglect their neurosupportive functions, thus rendering neurons vulnerable to excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. This review considers 3 important astrocytic functions, that when disrupted, can affect neuronal metabolism. These are the uptake of glucose and release of lactate; the uptake of glutamate and release of glutamine; and the uptake of glutathione precursors and release of glutathione. Conditions under which these functions can be manipulated in vitro, as well as examples of possible loss of astrocytic function in AD, are discussed. It is proposed that the targeting of astrocytes with pharmacological agents that are specifically designed to return astrocytes to a quiescent phenotype could represent a fruitful new angle for the therapeutic treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Item ID: 22617
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1558-1497
Keywords: neuron, glutathione, glutamate, glucose, neurodegeneration
Date Deposited: 01 Aug 2012 09:36
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1109 Neurosciences > 110904 Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases @ 34%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1109 Neurosciences > 110999 Neurosciences not elsewhere classified @ 33%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1116 Medical Physiology > 111699 Medical Physiology not elsewhere classified @ 33%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920112 Neurodegenerative Disorders Related to Ageing @ 34%
92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920199 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) not elsewhere classified @ 33%
97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences @ 33%
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