• Alexei Verkhratsky, Amelia Marutle, J J Rodríguez-Arellano, and Agneta Nordberg.
• Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia Alexej.Verkhratsky@manchester.ac.uk.
• Neuroscientist. 2014 Aug 14.

AbstractNeuroglia are represented by several population of cells heterogeneous in structure and function that provide for the homeostasis of the brain and the spinal cord. Neuroglial cells are also central for neuroprotection and defence of the central nervous system against exo- and endogenous insults. At the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease neuroglial cells become asthenic and lose some of their homeostatic, neuroprotective, and defensive capabilities. Astroglial reactivity, for example, correlates with preservation of cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment and prodromal Alzheimer's disease. Here, we overview the experimental data indicating glial paralysis in neurodegeneration and argue that loss of glial function is fundamental for defining the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.© The Author(s) 2014.

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