Neurochemical researchSep 18, 2024

Advances in Communication Between Brain Support Cells and Neurons in Nervous System Diseases

Alzheimers & Treatments Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Mar 25, 2026

Abstract

Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cells in the brain, play a significant role in supporting neurons and maintaining central nervous system function.

Astrocytes are essential for synapse formation, synaptic transmission, and neurotransmitter recycling.
They help regulate metabolic processes and maintain the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.
Astrocyte-neuron interactions are crucial for homeostasis in the central nervous system under both normal and diseased conditions.
The review discusses the roles of astrocytes in various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
Astrocyte-neuron crosstalk may contribute to the progression of neurological diseases, offering potential targets for therapy.

Simplified

Neurons are the primary cells responsible for information processing in the central nervous system (CNS). However, they are vulnerable to damage and insult in a variety of neurological disorders. As the most abundant glial cells in the brain, astrocytes provide crucial support to neurons and participate in synapse formation, synaptic transmission, neurotransmitter recycling, regulation of metabolic processes, and the maintenance of the blood-brain barrier integrity. Though astrocytes play a significant role in the manifestation of injury and disease, they do not work in isolation. Cellular interactions between astrocytes and neurons are essential for maintaining the homeostasis of the CNS under both physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we explore the diverse interactions between astrocytes and neurons under physiological conditions, including the exchange of neurotrophic factors, gliotransmitters, and energy substrates, and different CNS diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and multiple sclerosis. This review sheds light on the contribution of astrocyte-neuron crosstalk to the progression of neurological diseases to provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurological diseases.

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Advances in Communication Between Brain Support Cells and Neurons in Nervous System Diseases

Abstract

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