Biology and Pathology of Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions

This volume is made up of papers presented at the Second International Altschul Symposium: Biology and Pathology of Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions. The symposium was held in Saskatoon, Canada at the University of Saskatchewn in May, 1992 in memory of Rudolf Altschul, a graduate of the University of Prague and a pioneer in the fields of the biology of the vascular and nervous systems. Dr. Altschul was Professor and Head of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Saskatchewan from 1955 to 1963. The Altschul Symposia were made possible by an endowment left by Anni Altschul and by other contributions. The symposia are held biennially. One of the greatest challenges for present day scientists is to uncover the mechanisms of brain function. Although cellular anatomy of the nervous system has already been well outlined and indeed was delineated by the beginning of the century, experimental analysis of the function of the brain is relatively recent. The framework of the brain is made up of stellate cells, the astrocytes, which are interconnected by means of their processes, thus presenting a meshwork through which the neurons send their axons, accompanied by oligodendrocytes. Microglia are distributed throughout the brain.

Proceedings of the Second Altschul Symposium held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, May 20-23, 1992.

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Metabolic and Ionic Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions.- Metabolic Interactions between Neurons.- The Perinodal Astrocyte: Functional and Developmental Considerations.- Anoxia-Induced Extracellular Ion Shifts in Mammalian CNS White Matter.- Hyperexcitability of Neurons and Astrocytes in Epileptic Human Cortex.- Inter-Cellular Signalling by Nitric Oxide.- Production of Nitrosyl Mediators in Astrocytes.- Regulation of Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions.- The Possible Roles of Astrocytes in Energy Metabolism of the Brain.- Astroglia: Receptors, Second Messengers, and Function.- Neurotrophic Factors Produced by Astrocytes Involved in the Regulation of Cholinergic Neurons in the Central Nervous System.- Olfactory Ensheathing Cells: Factors Influencing the Phenotype of these Glial Celss.- Role of Peroxidase-Positive Astrocytes in Estradiol-Related Hypothalamic Damage.- Regulation of Gene Expression in Astrocytes.- GFAP Gene Expression in Normal and Reactive Astrocytes.- Trophic Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions.- Astrocytes Can Act as Permissive Subtrates for the Growth of NFG-Sensitive Acons in Vivo.- Glial-Neuronal Interactions Exemplified by the Synthesis and Actions of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor.- How Does Thrombin Cause Neurite Retraction?.- Neuronal Control of Astrocyte Proliferation.- The Role of 5-HT1A Receiptors in Development and Adult Plasticity of the Serotonergic System.- Effects of Cytokines on Neural Cells.- The Role of Substance P in Cytokine Production by Glial Cells.- Sources and Targets of Cytokines in the Central Nervous System.- Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Gene Expression in the Astrocyte.- Paracrine and Autocrine Signalling in Regulation of Microglia Survival.- Antigen Presentation at the Blood-Brain Barrier: A Role for Astrocytes?.- Oligodendrocytes and the Immune System.- Astrocyte Response to Injury.- Perineuronal Glial Reactions in Regeneration of Motoneurons.- Regulation of Type III Intermediate Filament Protein Genes in Astrocytes during Development and after Injury.- Heterogeneity of Reactive Astrocytes.- Inhibition of GFAP Synthesis with Antisense Nucleic Acid Constructs.- X-Irradiation for Promoting Recovery in Lesioned Adult Mammalian CNS.- Migration and Fate of Transplanted Astrocytes.- Astrocyte Response to Disease.- Morphology of Astroglial Swelling in Culture and in the Edematous Brain: An Adaptive Response to a Disturbed Microenvironment.- Glial Activation as a Common Denominator in Neurodegenerative Disease: A Hypothesis in Neuropathophysiology.- Downs's Syndrome and S-100 Protein.- Astrocyte/Oligodendrocyte Interaction in Association with Reactive Gliosis.- Astroglial Response to Liver Failure.- Possible Roles for Astroglia and Microglia in the Pathogenesis of Unconventional Slow Infections.- Abstracts.- Contributors.