Astrocytitis

Astrocytitis is a term sometimes used to describe inflammation of astrocytes, the star-shaped glial cells in the central nervous system. It is not a widely recognized formal diagnostic category in major medical references. In most literature, astrocyte-related inflammation is described as astrogliosis or as a form of astrocytopathy rather than as a discrete disease called astrocytitis.

Astrocytes perform essential functions, including maintenance of the blood–brain barrier, regulation of extracellular ions and neurotransmitters, and metabolic support for neurons. During CNS injury or disease, astrocytes may become reactive (astrogliosis), upregulate intermediate filaments such as GFAP, and participate in inflammatory signaling. Such astrocyte pathology can accompany or contribute to neuronal injury and scar formation and may be driven by autoimmune processes, infection, ischemia, or metabolic disturbance.

Clinical presentation would depend on the underlying condition causing astrocyte inflammation. Neurological symptoms may include cognitive changes, seizures, focal deficits, or encephalopathy. Diagnostic evaluation would typically involve neuroimaging, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for inflammatory markers and infectious etiologies, autoantibody testing, and, in selected cases, brain biopsy showing astrocyte changes such as reactive gliosis or astrocyte loss. Specific diseases with prominent astrocyte involvement include autoimmune astrocytopathies like GFAP astrocytopathy.

Treatment is directed at the underlying cause. Autoimmune or inflammatory astrocyte disorders may respond to immunotherapies such as corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, IVIG, or immunosuppressants, together with supportive care. Prognosis varies with etiology, extent of CNS involvement, and response to therapy. Because astrocytitis is not a standalone widely recognized diagnosis, clinicians typically address the broader category of astrocytopathies and glial inflammation when evaluating such cases.