| Chapter title |
Heterogeneity of astrocytic form and function.
|
|---|---|
| Chapter number | 3 |
| Book title |
Astrocytes
|
| Published in |
Methods in molecular biology, January 2012
|
| DOI | 10.1007/978-1-61779-452-0_3 |
| Pubmed ID | |
| Book ISBNs |
978-1-61779-451-3, 978-1-61779-452-0
|
| Authors |
Nancy Ann Oberheim, Steven A. Goldman, Maiken Nedergaard, Oberheim, Nancy Ann, Goldman, Steven A., Nedergaard, Maiken |
| Abstract |
Astrocytes participate in all essential CNS functions, including blood flow regulation, energy metabolism, ion and water homeostasis, immune defence, neurotransmission, and adult neurogenesis. It is thus not surprising that astrocytic morphology and function differ between regions, and that different subclasses of astrocytes exist within the same brain region. Recent lines of work also show that the complexity of protoplasmic astrocytes increases during evolution. Human astrocytes are structurally more complex, larger, and propagate calcium signals significantly faster than rodent astrocytes. In this chapter, we review the diversity of astrocytic form and function, while considering the markedly expanded roles of astrocytes with phylogenetic evolution. We also define major challenges for the future, which include determining how astrocytic functions are locally specified, defining the molecular controls upon astrocytic fate and physiology and establishing how evolutionary changes in astrocytes contribute to higher cognitive functions. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1 | 33% |
| United States | 1 | 33% |
| Unknown | 1 | 33% |
Demographic breakdown
| Type | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Scientists | 2 | 67% |
| Members of the public | 1 | 33% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 6 | 1% |
| Chile | 2 | <1% |
| France | 2 | <1% |
| Canada | 2 | <1% |
| Australia | 1 | <1% |
| United Kingdom | 1 | <1% |
| Italy | 1 | <1% |
| Iran, Islamic Republic of | 1 | <1% |
| Germany | 1 | <1% |
| Other | 2 | <1% |
| Unknown | 578 | 97% |
Demographic breakdown
| Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Student > Ph. D. Student | 148 | 25% |
| Student > Bachelor | 79 | 13% |
| Student > Master | 74 | 12% |
| Researcher | 73 | 12% |
| Student > Doctoral Student | 34 | 6% |
| Other | 64 | 11% |
| Unknown | 125 | 21% |
| Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 151 | 25% |
| Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 150 | 25% |
| Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 59 | 10% |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 44 | 7% |
| Engineering | 10 | 2% |
| Other | 39 | 7% |
| Unknown | 144 | 24% |