Do Astrocytes Play a Role in Intellectual Disabilities?

Noémie Cresto; Laure-Elise Pillet; Pierre Billuart; Nathalie Rouach

doi:10.1016/j.tins.2019.05.011

Do Astrocytes Play a Role in Intellectual Disabilities?

Trends Neurosci. 2019 Aug;42(8):518-527. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.05.011. Epub 2019 Jul 9.

Authors

Noémie Cresto¹, Laure-Elise Pillet², Pierre Billuart³, Nathalie Rouach⁴

Affiliations

¹ Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiopathology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, 75005 Paris, France; Université de Paris, Institut de Psychiatrie et de Neuroscience de Paris, INSERM U1266, Paris, France.
² Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiopathology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, 75005 Paris, France; Université de Paris, Institut de Psychiatrie et de Neuroscience de Paris, INSERM U1266, Paris, France; Doctoral School N°562, Paris Descartes University, Paris 75006, France.
³ Université de Paris, Institut de Psychiatrie et de Neuroscience de Paris, INSERM U1266, Paris, France. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiopathology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, 75005 Paris, France. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 31300246
DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.05.011

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental disorders, including those involving intellectual disability, are characterized by abnormalities in formation and functions of synaptic circuits. Traditionally, research on synaptogenesis and synaptic transmission in health and disease focused on neurons, however, a growing number of studies have highlighted the role of astrocytes in this context. Tight structural and functional interactions of astrocytes and synapses indeed play important roles in brain functions, and the repertoire of astroglial regulations of synaptic circuits is large and complex. Recently, genetic studies of intellectual disabilities have underscored potential contributions of astrocytes in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Here we review how alterations of astrocyte functions in disease may interfere with neuronal excitability and the balance of excitatory and inhibitory transmission during development, and contribute to intellectual disabilities.

Keywords: Down syndrome; Rett syndrome; astrocytes; fragile X syndrome; intellectual disability; tripartite synapse.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Astrocytes / pathology*
Astrocytes / physiology*
Brain / physiopathology*
Humans
Intellectual Disability / physiopathology*