Astrocytes ─ Wiring the Brain

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.

Eliana Scemes obtained her PhD from the University of Sao Paulo (USP), Brazil, and joined the faculty of the Institute of Biosciences at USP, where her research was primarily on nervous systems of jellyfish and the marine mollusk Aplysia. She spent two sabbatical years at Einstein and joined the faculty at Einstein College of Medicine in 1997, becoming Professor in 2010. Her current research interest is in the role of connexin and pannexin channels in astrocytes and brain pathophysiology.

David C. Spray obtained his PhD from the University of Florida College of Medicine and after a postdoctorate, joined the faculty at Einstein College of Medicine, where he became Professor of Neuroscience in 1986 and Medicine (Cardiology) in 1993. His major research interest is in gap junctions, primarily in physiological studies of their modulations and functions in the nervous system and elsewhere, and also in studies of regulation of gap junction and other genes in various pathological conditions, including parasitic infections causing Chagas disease and cerebral malaria.

Introduction to Cluster A: Functional Biomarkers at the InterfaceMature Protoplasmic Mammalian Astrocytes: Morphology, Interrelationships, and Implications for Function; H. K. KimelbergBiomarkers of Astrocyte Microdomains: Focus on Gap Junctions, Purinergic Receptors, and Aquaporins; E. Scemes and G. P. NicchiaAdhesion Molecules and their Function in Astrocyte Polarity; S. Carbonetto, E. Camand, and S. Etienne-MannevilleContribution of Astrocytes to CNS Immunity: Roles of Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs); N. Esen and T. KielianIntroduction to Cluster B: Establishment of Functional Units: Multimodality at the TipsNeuroglial Networks: Glial Wiring Also Matters; C. GiaumeAstrocyte-Neuron Communication: What Goes Wrong in Pathology? D. Rossi and A. VolterraBlood-Brain Barrier and the Neural Vascular Unit; R. Dermietzel and D. C. SprayOligodendrocytes: Gateway to the Panglial Syncytium; K. G. V. Davidson and J. E. RashMicroglia and Non-CNS Cells in Paracrine Signaling and CNS Immunity: Effects of Pathogens, Age, and Life History; E. H. Wilson and M. J. CarsonCNS Pathology: Disruption of Astrocyte Connectivity: IntroductionAstrocytes in Epilepsy; C. Steinhäuser and G. SeifertAstrocyte Involvement in the Acquired Demyelinating Diseases; S. E. Lutz, C. S. Raine, and C. BrosnanNeuroglia in Alzheimer’s Disease; J. J. Rodríguez Arellano, C. Matute and A. VerkhratskyThe Role of Glial Pathology in Autism; R. E. Kneeland, S. B. Liesch, T. D. Folsom, and S. H. FatemiAstrocytes in Major Depressive Disorder and Schizophrenia: Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Aspects; M. J. Schwarz and A.-M. MyintIndex