Science· 2018Q1· Review
Glia as architects of central nervous system formation and function
- 1,000citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2018year
Short summary
Glia, once thought to be passive, actively orchestrate nearly all aspects of central nervous system (CNS) formation and function. Diverse glial cell types influence everything from neuron birth and migration to circuit assembly and synaptic communication.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Glia comprise about half of CNS cells and are actively involved in development and function.
- Specific glial types (radial glia, astrocytes, OPCs, oligodendrocytes, microglia) influence neuronal birth, migration, axon growth, and circuit assembly.
- Mature glial cells regulate synaptic communication, plasticity, homeostasis, and network activity.
- Glia dynamically monitor and alter CNS structure and function throughout life.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Glia constitute roughly half of the cells of the central nervous system (CNS) but were long-considered to be static bystanders to its formation and function. Here we provide an overview of how the diverse and dynamic functions of glial cells orchestrate essentially all aspects of nervous system formation and function. Radial glia, astrocytes, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, oligodendrocytes, and microglia each influence nervous system development, from neuronal birth, migration, axon specification, and growth through circuit assembly and synaptogenesis. As neural circuits mature, distinct glia fulfill key roles in synaptic communication, plasticity, homeostasis, and network-level activity through dynamic monitoring and alteration of CNS structure and function. Continued elucidation of glial cell biology, and the dynamic interactions of neurons and glia, will enrich our understanding of nervous system formation, health, and function.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Science, 2018 · DOI ↗
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Field: Developmental Neuroscience
Developmental NeuroscienceNeuroscience