Astrocytes are implicated in various neurological conditions:
1. Astrogliosis: Reactive astrocytes proliferate in response to CNS injury, leading to glial scar formation. While protective, excessive astrogliosis can hinder neural repair. 2. Neurodegenerative Diseases: In conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, astrocytes show altered functioning that can exacerbate neuronal damage. 3. Epilepsy: Dysfunctional astrocytes can contribute to the hyperexcitability seen in epileptic brains by failing to regulate neurotransmitter levels.
