Cited by 19Genetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersDown syndrome and intellectual disability researchNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Rethinking intellectual disability from neuro- to astro-pathology.

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Fernández-Blanco, Álvaro, Dierssen, Mara·2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental disorders arise from genetic and/or from environmental factors and are characterized by different degrees of intellectual disability. The mechanisms that govern important processes sustaining learning and memory, which are severely affected in intellectual disability, have classically been thought to be exclusively under neuronal control. However, this vision has recently evolved into a more integrative conception in which astroglia, rather than just acting as metabolic supply and structural anchoring for neurons, interact at distinct levels modulating neuronal communication and possibly also cognitive processes. Recently, genetic tools have made it possible to specifically manipulate astrocyte activity unraveling novel functions that involve astrocytes in memory function in the healthy brain. However, astrocyte manipulation has also underscored potential mechanisms by which dysfunctional astrocytes could contribute to memory deficits in several neurodevelopmental disorders revealing new pathogenic mechanisms in intellectual disability. Here, we review the current knowledge about astrocyte dysfunction that might contribute to learning and memory impairment in neurodevelopmental disorders, with special focus on Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome.

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  • Astrocytes are implicated in various brain pathologies, including neurodevelopmental conditions such as FXS.

    “Astrocytes are implicated in various brain pathologies (Lee et al., 2022), including neurodevelopmental conditions such as fragile X syndrome (FXS, Fernández-Blanco and Dierssen, 2020).”

    From Astrocytes in fragile X syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as Fernández-Blanco and Dierssen, 2020

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Authors
Fernández-Blanco, Á., & Dierssen, M.
Affiliations
  • Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
  • Universitat Pompeu Fabra (ES)
Corresponding author
Dierssen, Mara
Venue
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2020-11-27
Volume
21
Issue
23
Pages
9039
ISSN
1422-0067 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3096836257
Cited by
19
References
156
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1
FWCI
0.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Molecular Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Repositori digital de la UPF (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (PID2019-110755RB-I00/AEI / 10.13039/501100011033)
  • Departament d'Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació (2017 SGR 926)
  • H2020 Health (GO-DS21- 848077)
  • Marató TV3 (2016/20-30)
  • EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (Heroes)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Down syndrome and intellectual disability research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
intellectual disability, astrocytes, astrocyte dysfunction, neurodevelopmental disorders, learning and memory impairment, fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, astrocyte-neuron communication, memory impairment
MeSH terms
Animals, Astrocytes, Humans, Memory, Intellectual Disability, Neurons, Phenotype, Neurodevelopmental Disorders

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