1. Bergmann Glia, Long-Term Depression, and Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Author
-
Zbigniew Sołtys and Adrian Andrzej Chrobak
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Cerebellum ,Plasticity ,Autism Spectrum Disorder ,radial glia ,Neuroscience (miscellaneous) ,Excitotoxicity ,Radial glia ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Neuroprotection ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience ,0302 clinical medicine ,Glutamate homeostasis ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Long-term depression ,Long-Term Synaptic Depression ,Glutamate transporters ,medicine.disease ,neuroglia ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Neurology ,nervous system ,Autism spectrum disorder ,plasticity ,Neuroglia ,glutamate transporters ,excitotoxicity ,Neuroscience ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Bergmann glia (BG), a specific type of radial astrocytes in the cerebellum, play a variety of vital functions in the development of this structure. However, the possible role of BG in the development of abnormalities observed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) seems to be underestimated. One of the most consistent findings observed in ASD patients is loss of Purkinje cells (PCs). Such a defect may be caused by dysregulation of glutamate homeostasis, which is maintained mainly by BG. Moreover, these glial cells are involved in long-term depression (LTD), a form of plasticity which can additionally subserve neuroprotective functions. The aim of presented review is to summarize the current knowledge about interactions which occur between PC and BG, with special emphasis on those which are relevant to the survival and proper functioning of cerebellar neurons.
- Published
- 2016