Glial cell function is indispensible for the functional and structural integration of the nervous system. Glial cells are now known to regulate diverse functions in the nervous system, including migration of neural cells during development, generation of structural matrix to embed neurons, tuning and timing neuronal excitability, ensuring fast impulse conduction, biochemical and electrical insulation, domain specialization on axons, maintaining the homeostasis by actively clearing the metabolites and cell debris. Not surprisingly, uncoupling of glial cell function compromises the functional integration in almost all neurological disorders. Thus a better understanding of glial cell function and attempts to regenerate glial cells will promote functional recovery of patients with such disorders. This research topic aims at compiling research articles and reviews that will improve our understanding of glial cell function in the pathology and physiology of the nervous system. Contributions may include, but are not limited to, (i) methodology and tools to study glial cell function, (ii) glial regulation of neuronal fate and response, (iii) neuronal regulation of glial cell function, (iv) regulation and mechanism of glial cell polarization/differentiation, (v) glial cells in nerve injury and repair and (vi) therapies to target glial cells in neurological disorders. The goal of this session is to emphasize the critical role of glial cells in the functional integration of the nervous system and help in understanding the molecular basis of various neurological disorders.
Glial cell function is indispensible for the functional and structural integration of the nervous system. Glial cells are now known to regulate diverse functions in the nervous system, including migration of neural cells during development, generation of structural matrix to embed neurons, tuning and timing neuronal excitability, ensuring fast impulse conduction, biochemical and electrical insulation, domain specialization on axons, maintaining the homeostasis by actively clearing the metabolites and cell debris. Not surprisingly, uncoupling of glial cell function compromises the functional integration in almost all neurological disorders. Thus a better understanding of glial cell function and attempts to regenerate glial cells will promote functional recovery of patients with such disorders. This research topic aims at compiling research articles and reviews that will improve our understanding of glial cell function in the pathology and physiology of the nervous system. Contributions may include, but are not limited to, (i) methodology and tools to study glial cell function, (ii) glial regulation of neuronal fate and response, (iii) neuronal regulation of glial cell function, (iv) regulation and mechanism of glial cell polarization/differentiation, (v) glial cells in nerve injury and repair and (vi) therapies to target glial cells in neurological disorders. The goal of this session is to emphasize the critical role of glial cells in the functional integration of the nervous system and help in understanding the molecular basis of various neurological disorders.