Coordinated activity between neurons and glial cells is necessary to process sensory information, mediate perception, coordinate behavior and integrate metabolism. Collectively, glial cells, such as astrocytes, microglia, and tanycytes, play active roles in regulating physiology, neuronal function and plasticity within the nervous system. Brain insults, metabolic dysfunction, and neurodegenerative disorders trigger pathophysiological responses directly mediated by these glial cells. Astrocytes, microglia and more recently, tanycytes have been shown to participate in synaptic dysfunction and neuroinflammation, positioning them as main players in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Similarly, these three glial cell types also exert an important role in the initiation and progression of brain inflammation during metabolic diseases, like obesity and diabetes.

Despite the exciting new evidence highlighting the fundamental role that glia cells play in the development of neurodegeneration and metabolic diseases, the exact mechanisms and the extent of the impact that astrocytes, microglia, and tanycytes exert in these disease processes are not completely understood. This Research Topic aims to gather relevant new information on the role of these glial cells in the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. Moreover, we are interested in translational approaches that target specifically these glial cells to ameliorate or reverse neurodegenerative and metabolic disease progression.

We welcome manuscripts that include but are not limited to the following themes:

1. Involvement of astrocytes, microglia and tanycytes in neuroinflammatory processes during neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases.

2. Molecular, physiological and metabolic pathways involved in the recruitment and activation of astrocytes, microglia or tanycytes during neurodegeneration and metabolic dysregulation.

3. Role of astrocytes, microglia and tanycytes in brain plasticity deficits during neurodegeneration and metabolic dysregulation.

4. Cross-species comparisons of glial cell involvement in the development of neurodegeneration and metabolic dysregulation.

5. Novel therapeutic approaches specifically targeting glial cells to ameliorate or reverse the progression of neurodegenerative and metabolic disease.

6. Glial cell heterogeneity and subtype, specific roles in neurodegeneration and metabolic disease.

7. Glial metabolism and bioenergetics in neurodegeneration and metabolic disease.

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Glial cells as gatekeepers of neurodegeneration and metabolic diseases