The category of glial cells covers all of the supporting cells of the brain, everything not a neuron, a big tent that includes immune cells such as microglia, the oligodendrocytes that manufacture myelin sheathing for axons, and the sizable astrocyte population, among others. These are very different cell populations with very different functions and behaviors, but all become dysfunctional with age. The present consensus is that glial cell dysfunction is important in aging and neurodegenerative conditions, each population contributing to loss of cognitive fun…
Reviewing What is Known of Glial Cell Aging in the Cerebellum
The category of glial cells covers all of the supporting cells of the brain, everything not a neuron, a big tent that includes immune cells such as microglia, the oligodendrocytes that manufacture myelin sheathing for axons, and the sizable astrocyte population, among others. These are very different cell populations with very different functions and behaviors, but all become dysfunctional with age. The present consensus is that glial cell dysfunction is important in aging and neurodegenerative conditions, each population contributing to loss of cognitive fun…