The goal of this book is to integrate information that has accumulated in recent years revealing the active role of astrocytes in physiological processing in the central nervous system and to use this as a basis for identifying pathological roles for these glial cells in the brain. Astrocytes, a subtype of glial cell, have long been neglected as active participants in intercellular communication and information processing in the central nervous system, in part due to their lack of the electrical excitability. However, astrocytes possess a diverse assortment of ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors, and transport mechanisms that enable astrocytes to respond to many of the same signals that act on neurons. Since astrocytes can detect chemical transmitters that are released from neurons and can release extracellular signals, there is an increasing awareness that they play physiological roles in regulating neuronal activity and synaptic transmission. Presents latest research of the role of astrocytes in the physiology and pathophysiology of brain DVD suitable for professionalpresentations and instruction INDICE: From the contents Hepatic encephalopathy: A primary astrocytopathy.- Neural stem cells disguised as astrocytes.- Neurotransmitter receptors in astrocytes.- Specialized neurotransmitter transporters in astrocytes.- Connexinexpression (gap junctions and hemichannels) in astrocytes.- Regulation of potassium by glial cells in the central nervous system.- Energy and amino acid neurotransmitter metabolism in astrocytes.- Calcium ion signaling in astrocytes.- Astrocytes in control of biophysical properties of the extracellular space.-Structural association of astrocytes with neurons and vasculature: Defining territorial boundaries.- Synaptic information processing by astrocytes.- Mechanisms of transmitter release from astrocytes.- Release of trophic factors and immune molecules from astrocytes.- Molecular approaches for studying astrocytes.- The tripartite synapse.
- ISBN: 978-0-387-79491-4
- Editorial: Springer
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 680
- Fecha Publicación: 01/11/2008
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés