Reactive Astrocytes: Help or Harm?

1. What are Astrocytes? (0:00-0:12) Star-shaped glial cells in the brain

and spinal cord - the most abundant cells in the central nervous system. 2.

Normal Astrocyte Functions (0:12-0:24) Support neurons by providing nutrients, maintaining the

blood-brain barrier, and regulating the chemical environment around synapses. 3.

The Trigger (0:24-0:36) When injury, infection, or disease occurs in the brain,

astrocytes detect danger signals and transform. 4. Reactive Astrogliosis

Begins (0:36-0:48) Astrocytes undergo dramatic changes in shape, size,

and gene expression - becoming "reactive astrocytes." 5. Physical Changes