Abstract
Astrocytes are no longer seen as a homogenous population of cells. In fact, recent studies indicate that astrocytes are morphologically and functionally diverse and play critical roles in neurodevelopmental diseases such as Rett syndrome and fragile X mental retardation. This review summarizes recent advances in astrocyte development, including the role of neural tube patterning in specification and developmental functions of astrocytes during synaptogenesis. We propose here that a precise understanding of astrocyte development is critical to defining heterogeneity and could lead advances in understanding and treating a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 891-907 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Genes & development |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1 2012 |
Keywords
- Astrocytes
- Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System
- Humans
- Mental Disorders
- Neural Stem Cells
- Neurogenesis
- Journal Article
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review