Australia-based University of Melbourne and Stanford (Calif.) University researchers studied the origin and roles of astrocytes, hoping to discover possible treatments for brain and spinal diseases.
The paper identified the functions of injured or disease astrocytes in the central nervous system after acute injury and chronic neurodegenerative disease.
Nature published the study.
Here are five key points:
1. Astrocytes offer the brain nutrients for neuron viability and play a crucial role in connection formation between nerves cells, in healthy circumstances.
2. Sometimes, however, astrocytes negatively impact neurons, contributing to damage resulting form brain injury or disease. In these instances, the astrocytes turn toxic and kill off brain cells.
3. Instead of focusing on the role of neurons in trauma and neurodegeneration, the researchers zoned in the neurotoxic reactive astrocytes.
4. Moving forward, researchers will target toxic astrocytes as well, to discover new treatment pathways for retina, brain and spinal cord acute injuries as well as chronic neurodegenerative diseases.
5. The researchers are encouraged by the potential to return astrocytes to their "helper" state, following injury.