Short and long-term effects of ethanol on astrocyte functioning
Short and long-term effects of ethanol on astrocyte functioning
Short and long-term effects of ethanol on astrocyte functioning
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord that play essential roles in supporting neuronal function, maintaining the blood-brain barrier, regulating neurotransmitter systems, and modulating synaptic activity. Given their vital functions, disturbances to astrocyte functioning can have significant implications for neural health and cognition.
Ethanol (alcohol) exposure can indeed impact astrocyte functioning in both short-term and long-term manners:
Short-term Effects:
Inflammatory Response: Acute ethanol exposure can stimulate the release of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, from astrocytes. This inflammatory response might play a role in alcohol-induced neuroinflammation.
Osmotic Changes: Alcohol can cause cellular swelling, and astrocytes are particularly sensitive to osmotic changes. Acute alcohol exposure can lead to astrocytic swelling.
Glutamate Uptake: Astrocytes are vital in the uptake and recycling of the neurotransmitter glutamate, preventing excitotoxicity. Acute ethanol exposure can inhibit glutamate uptake by astrocytes, potentially leading to excitotoxic neuronal damage.
Antioxidant Response: Astrocytes play a role in protecting neurons from oxidative stress. Acute alcohol exposure can influence the antioxidant capacities of these cells, though the exact effects can depend on the level and duration of exposure.
Long-term Effects:
Astrogliosis: Chronic ethanol exposure can lead to a condition called astrogliosis, where there's an increase in the number of reactive astrocytes. These reactive astrocytes can change in morphology and function, potentially impairing their ability to support neurons effectively.
Impaired Neurotrophic Support: Astrocytes produce neurotrophic factors, essential for neuronal health, growth, and repair. Chronic alcohol exposure might reduce the release of these factors.
Altered Calcium Signaling: Chronic ethanol exposure can alter calcium signaling in astrocytes. Since calcium signaling in these cells plays a role in various functions, including neurotransmitter uptake and release, this alteration can impact neural communication.
Impaired Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Function: Astrocytes are crucial in maintaining the integrity of the BBB. Chronic alcohol exposure can disturb this function, making the BBB more permeable and potentially allowing harmful substances into the brain.
Metabolic Changes: Astrocytes are involved in brain metabolism, including the glymphatic system, which clears waste products. Chronic alcohol use might impair these metabolic functions.
It's worth noting that the exact effects of ethanol on astrocyte functioning can vary based on factors like the level and pattern of alcohol consumption, age, genetic factors, and overall health. Importantly, disturbances to astrocyte functions can have cascading effects on neural health and cognition, contributing to the cognitive impairments and neurological issues associated with acute intoxication and chronic alcoholism.
Neuroscience 2023 and Artificial Intelligence
Neuroscience Meeting 2023 SBNeC - Summary of selected neuroscientific topics
(generated by ChatGPT):
Homeostasis Perception and Emotion in Panic
Antropologia Amerindia América Latina
Newborn Behavioral Observation
"Muscle matters: from human disease to human performance"
Transgenerational memories of trauma - epigenetic, physiological and mental health factors
Efeito de Realidade Virtual e Gamificação no Aprendizado
Vida moderna, Ritmos Biológicos, Sono, Homeostasia Fisiológica e Processos Cognitivos
Long-term cognitive and emotional impairments associated to hypercholesterolemia
Short- and long-term effects of ethanol on astrocyte functioning
Caffeine effects on brain development
Obesidade do neurodesenvolvimento ao envelhecimento
Repercussões fisiológicas e celulares da exposição aos pesticidas em períodos críticos do desenvolvimento
Distúrbios do Crescimento Celular
Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Nutrition
Cancer as a developmental disease
Scientific Question and Experimental Design
Epilepsy Neuroscience and Perception
Active Learning to Improve Engagement
The molecular basis of Exercise-induced skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis
Neurochemical Underpinnings of Psychedelic-Induced Ego Dissolution
Recent advances in the neuroendocrine control of hydromineral homeostasis
Psychoneuroimmunology Immunoneuroendocrine interactions
Aproveitando a natureza dinâmica da memória para eliminar experiências traumáticas
Acerca da modificação de memórias episódicas
The biological response of ayahuasca
Variabilidade da frequência cardíaca como marcador da integração neurovisceral
Inteligência artificial, psicodélicos, e saúde mental
Efeitos do isolamento social e do enriquecimento ambiental na plasticidade do sistema nervoso
Neurociências e Educação: Reflexões sobre o Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH)
Cellular and molecular networks underlying psychiatric disorders
NEUROCIÊNCIAS E EDUCAÇÃO: PRÁTICAS BASEADAS EM EVIDÊNCIAS
O que sabemos hoje sobre as expressões faciais na psicopatia?
Aspectos Funcionais e Estruturais da Interação Glia-Neurônio
As bases neurobiológicas da aprendizagem e memória
O uso de jogos educacionais como estratégia de aprendizagem ativa
Processamento cerebral implícito - a construção de estereótipos
Neuroimagem funcional aplicada ao comportamento humano
O cérebro em tarefas cognitivas e no estado de repouso. Introdução à conectividade funcional
