Role of Astrocytes in Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration

Astrocytes are among the most abundant and versatile glial cells in the central nervous system. Their functions range from neuronal maintenance and trophic support to regulation of synaptic transmission, neurotransmitter homeostasis, and structural integrity. Together with microglia, astrocytes represent a first line of defense against pathological insults. Research in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders has traditionally been dominated by a neuron-centric perspective, but recent findings reveal that astrocytes actively shape disease onset and progression. Astrocytes are highly plastic and can adapt their responses to specific disease contexts. However, chronic exposure to pathological stimuli can induce loss of supportive functions and acquisition of neurotoxic phenotypes. Despite this paradigm shift, many aspects of astrocyte biology in health and disease remain incompletely understood.

This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of astrocytes as dynamic and central players in both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative processes. We seek to integrate diverse perspectives that explore how astrocytes influence neuronal circuit formation, synaptic plasticity, and neural network maintenance and energy metabolism, as well as how their dysfunction contributes to disease initiation and progression. By bringing together studies across molecular, cellular, and systems-level scales, this collection will bridge mechanistic insights with translational relevance. We particularly welcome work that employs advanced in vitro and in vivo models to dissect the interplay between astrocytes and neurons, as well as their interactions with microglia and other glial populations. A further goal is to explore the therapeutic implications of targeting astrocyte functions - either by modulating

We invite original research articles and reviews addressing the multifaceted role of astrocytes in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative contexts. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Molecular and epigenetic mechanisms driving astrocyte differentiation, reactivity, and degeneration

• Interactions between astrocytes and neuronal or immune cells, and the contribution of astrocyte heterogeneity to disease outcomes

• Studies employing stem cell–based approaches, such as induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived astrocytes, organoid and assembloid models, as well as microfluidic and bioengineered systems, are highly encouraged

Submissions should emphasize methodological rigor, mechanistic depth, and translational potential, providing novel insights into astrocyte biology and its implications for human brain health and disease.

Prof. Morten Meyer and Assoc. Prof. Blanca I. Aldana have an ongoing collaboration with the company H. Lundbeck A/S (no financial compensation involved). Dr. Katarina Stoklund Dittlau previously had a collaboration with the company, Bioneer A/S (no financial compensation involved).

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Astrocytes, neurodevelopment, neurodegeneration, stem cell models, molecular mechanisms, therapy, replacement, heterogeneity, reactivity, metabolism

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.