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Astrocytic dysfunction: insights on the role in neurodegeneration
Rossi D, Volterra A.. Brain research bulletin, 2009-07-22
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
For decades, astrocytes have been regarded as passive partners of neurons in central nervous system (CNS) function. Studies of the last 20 years, however, challenged this view by demonstrating that astrocytes possess functional receptors for neurotransmitters and respond to their stimulation via release of gliotransmitters, including glutamate. Notably, astrocytes react to synaptically released neurotransmitters with intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]) elevations, which result in the release of glutamate via regulated exocytosis and, possibly, other mechanisms.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Rossi, D., & Volterra, A. (2009). Astrocytic dysfunction: insights on the role in neurodegeneration. Brain research bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2009.07.012
Vancouver
Rossi D, Volterra A. Astrocytic dysfunction: insights on the role in neurodegeneration. Brain research bulletin. 2009. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2009.07.012. PMID: 19631259.
BibTeX
@article{rossi2009-19631259,
author = {Rossi, D. and Volterra, A.},
title = {{Astrocytic dysfunction: insights on the role in neurodegeneration}},
journal = {Brain research bulletin},
year = {2009},
doi = {10.1016/j.brainresbull.2009.07.012},
pmid = {19631259},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2009.07.012}
}
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Key findings
- Studies of the last 20 years, however, challenged this view by demonstrating that astrocytes possess functional receptors for neurotransmitters and respond to their stimulation via release of gliotransmitters, including glutamate.
- Notably, astrocytes react to synaptically released neurotransmitters with intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]) elevations, which result in the release of glutamate via regulated exocytosis and, possibly, other mechanisms.
- These findings have led to a new concept of neuron-glia intercommunication where astrocytes play an unsuspected dynamic role by integrating neuronal inputs and modulating synaptic activity.
- The additional observation that glutamate release from astrocytes is controlled by molecules linked to inflammatory reactions, such as the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and prostaglandins (PGs), suggests that glia-to-neuron signalling may be sensitive to changes in the production of these mediators occurring in pathological conditions.
Why it matters
This review discusses how astrocytes respond to neurotransmitters with calcium signals and release glutamate, and how this may relate to neurodegeneration. It is a mechanistic overview and does not report any treatment, cure or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 44/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Brain research bulletin) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Brain Research Bulletin: journal h-index 203 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2009 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 219 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 11.5 citations a year over 19 year(s) since 2009 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 11.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 4 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 16 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Andrea Volterra: h-index 53 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of Milan: institution h-index 1,023 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 19631259) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 44 / 100 | — |
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