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SM Journal of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Dysfunction of Astrocytic Syncytium in Neurological Disorders

[ ISSN : 3067-9982 ]

Abstract
Details

Received: 09-Nov-2015

Accepted: 10-Nov-2015

Published: 10-Nov-2015

Baofeng Ma*, Shiying Zhong

Department of Neuroscience, the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, United States.

Corresponding Author:

Baofeng Ma, the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, United States.

Keywords

Astrocytic Syncytium; Epileptic activity;

Abstract

In the nervous system, astrocytes are organized to form a giant syncytium through gap junctions, which are intercellular membrane channels. This organization by gap junctions is rarely seen in mature neurons and provides the basis for the difference in function between astrocytes and neurons. Astrocytes use gap junctions to redistribute molecules[1]and, more importantly, to confer is potentiality on the syncytium[2], thus providing homeostatic function, including the clearance of elevated K+ and glutamate in extracellular space. Whether or how dysfunction of astrocytes syncytium causes neurological disorder is still uncertain despite extensive studies. This brief review focuses on recent neurological disorder findings and provides a view about is potentiality in an astrocytic syncytium and its relation to disorder based on these findings.

Citation

Ma B, Zhong S. Dysfunction of Astrocytic Syncytium in Neurological Disorders.