Updated Understanding of the Glial-Vascular Unit in Central Nervous System Disorders / 神经科学通报·英文版

The concept of the glial-vascular unit (GVU) was raised recently to emphasize the close associations between brain cells and cerebral vessels, and their coordinated reactions to diverse neurological insults from a "glio-centric" view. GVU is a multicellular structure composed of glial cells, perivascular cells, and perivascular space. Each component is closely linked, collectively forming the GVU. The central roles of glial and perivascular cells and their multi-level interconnections in the GVU under normal conditions and in central nervous system (CNS) disorders have not been elucidated in detail. Here, we comprehensively review the intensive interactions between glial cells and perivascular cells in the niche of perivascular space, which take part in the modulation of cerebral blood flow and angiogenesis, formation of the blood-brain barrier, and clearance of neurotoxic wastes. Next, we discuss dysfunctions of the GVU in various neurological diseases, including ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, and major depression disorder. In addition, we highlight the possible therapies targeting the GVU, which may have potential clinical applications.

Interstitial ions regulate sleep and wakefulness / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is the super-imposed electrical signals at the scalp electrodes generated from neuronal activity. The combined signals of EEG and electromyogram (EMG) can be used to identify sleep and wake states. Therefore, factors affecting the neuronal activity could possibly modulate the state of sleep and wake. It has been well-defined in the past decades that postsynaptic neuronal activity is mediated by neurotransmitters release from presynaptic neurons. Neural circuits have been proposed to be the structural basis and functional system that regulate sleep-wake. Beside presynaptic inputs, neuronal activity can also be mediated by extracellular environment. All cellular elements of the central nervous system (CNS) are consistently exposed to the interstitial milieu. The interstitial ion compositions can affect action potential firings, neurotransmitter release, and synaptic transmission. The super-imposed single neuronal electrical activity will eventually integrate the whole brain state shift. Frontier studies suggest that the interstitial ion compositions could mirror or drive state transitions, such as, sleep, wakefulness and locomotion. Here we provide an literature review of the roles of interstitial ions in regulating neuronal activity, as well as sleep and wake state maintenances and transitions.