Neurology | Glial Cells: Astrocytes, Oligodendrocytes, Schwann Cells, Ependymal Cells, Microglia

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In this lecture, Professor Zach Murphy will explore the essential roles of glial cells in supporting and maintaining the nervous system. We begin with astrocytes, covering their function in maintaining the blood-brain barrier, regulating the extracellular ionic environment, recycling neurotransmitters, and providing metabolic support to neurons. We then examine oligodendrocytes, emphasizing their critical role in myelinating axons in the central nervous system and enabling rapid signal conduction through saltatory transmission.

Next, we discuss Schwann cells, the peripheral nervous system counterpart to oligodendrocytes, highlighting their myelination of peripheral nerves and role in facilitating axonal regeneration after injury. We continue with ependymal cells, which line the brain’s ventricles and the spinal cord’s central canal, producing and circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) while contributing to the blood-CSF barrier.

Finally, we focus on microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system, detailing their function in pathogen defense, debris clearance, and synaptic remodeling during development and injury. By understanding these specialized glial cell types and their unique contributions, you’ll gain a clearer picture of how the nervous system remains functional, protected, and adaptable throughout life.

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