Stress‐induced structural and functional modifications of astrocytes—Further implicating glia in the central response to stress

Abstract

An organism's response to stress requires activation of multiple brain regions. This can have long‐lasting effects on synaptic transmission and plasticity that likely provide adaptive benefits. Recent evidence implicates not only neurones, but also glial cells in the regulation of the central response to stress. Intense, repeated or uncontrolled stress has been implicated in the emergence of multiple neuropsychiatric conditions. Human studies have consistently observed glial dysfunction in mood and stress disorders such as major depression. Interestingly animal models of stress have recapitulated glial abnormalities that are comparable to the human condition, validating the use of rodent models for the study of stress disorders. In this review we will focus upon one family of glia, the astrocytes, and describe the evidence to date that links astrocytes to possible stress‐related disorders.

Stress gates an astrocytic energy reservoir to impair synaptic plasticity

“…These observations provide insights for understanding mechanisms of cognitive decline and memory impairment associated with stress. We propose that restoration of astrocytic metabolic function may prove useful in a variety of stress-related disorders, in which astrocyte dysfunction has been reported 66 . Rather than directly tuning neuronal excitability, which is the most common therapeutic strategy to manage stress disorders, manipulation of astrocyte metabolic function could ensure that neuronal energy consumption is matched with supply in an activity-dependent manner.…”

Neurobiology of resilience in depression: immune and vascular insights from human and animal studies

“…In agreement, xCT expression is reduced in a genetic mouse model with inherent susceptibility to depressive‐like behaviour (Nasca et al., 2017). Although astrocyte‐neuronal communication has been receiving greater attention recently (Murphy‐Royal, Gordon & Bains, 2019), to date, only a handful of papers have explored the involvement of astrocytes in stress resilience and future studies are greatly needed.…”

<p>Astroglial Mechanisms Underlying Chronic Insomnia Disorder: A Clinical Study</p>

“…In addition, stress can induce structural and functional modifications of astrocytes. 75,76 At the same time, current consensus is that exposure to stressful events impairs normal sleep function. 77,78 Therefore, it is plausible that, at least in some individuals, the mechanism leading to insomnia may be accumulating stress events across the lifetime that could result in the dysfunction of astrocytes, in turn causing the onset and development of insomnia.…”