Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jul 23;22(15):7887. doi: 10.3390/ijms22157887.
Recent studies implicate astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, their role in pathogenesis is poorly understood. Astrocytes have well-established functions in supportive functions such as extracellular ionic homeostasis, structural support, and neurovascular coupling. However, emerging research on astrocytic function in the healthy brain also indicates their role in regulating synaptic plasticity and neuronal excitability via the release of neuroactive substances named gliotransmitters. Here, we review how this "active" role of astrocytes at synapses could contribute to synaptic and neuronal network dysfunction and cognitive impairment in AD.
最近的研究表明星形胶质细胞与阿尔茨海默病（AD）有关；然而，它们在发病机制中的作用仍不清楚。星形胶质细胞在支持功能方面具有成熟的功能，例如细胞外离子稳态、结构支持和神经血管耦联。然而，关于健康大脑中星形胶质细胞功能的新兴研究也表明，它们通过释放称为神经递质的神经活性物质在调节突触可塑性和神经元兴奋性方面发挥作用。在这里，我们回顾了星形胶质细胞在突触处的这种“活跃”作用如何导致 AD 中的突触和神经元网络功能障碍和认知障碍。
