Astrocyte Form and Function in the Developing Central Nervous System

Abstract

Astrocytes have long been forgotten entities in our quest to understand brain function. Over the last few decades, there has been an exponential increase in our knowledge of central nervous system (CNS) function, and, consequently, astrocytes have emerged as key figures in CNS physiology and disease. Indeed, several pediatric neurologic disorders have recently been linked to astrocyte dysregulation, including leukodystrophies, autism spectrum disorders, and epilepsy. Given that pediatric disorders are rooted in developmental processes, the goal of this review is to catalog what we know about astrocyte development and function in the developing CNS. Moreover, we highlight current challenges and questions that remain in the field about astrocyte development. Our hope is that this review illuminates the potential of astrocytes and their associated developmental and physiological functions as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurologic disorders.