Astrogliosis

Astrogliosis (pronounced as-tro-glee-oh-sis) is a pathological process in the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by the hypertrophy and proliferation of astrocytes, a type of glial cell. This process is typically a response to injury or disease in the CNS.

Etymology

The term "Astrogliosis" is derived from the Greek words "astro" meaning star, referring to the star-shaped appearance of astrocytes, and "gliosis", which refers to the proliferation of glial cells in the CNS.

Definition

Astrogliosis is a complex, multistage process that involves changes in the morphology, proliferation, and function of astrocytes. It is a common feature of many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, as well as traumatic brain injury and stroke.

Process

In response to injury or disease, astrocytes undergo a series of changes, including hypertrophy (increase in cell size), proliferation (increase in cell number), and upregulation of intermediate filament proteins, such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). These changes result in the formation of a glial scar, which can both protect healthy tissue from further damage and inhibit neuronal regeneration.

Clinical Significance

Astrogliosis is a double-edged sword in the CNS. On one hand, it plays a protective role by isolating the area of injury or disease and preventing the spread of damage. On the other hand, the glial scar that forms can inhibit neuronal regeneration and contribute to long-term functional deficits.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Astrogliosis
Wikipedia's article - Astrogliosis

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