astrocytene

Astrocytene is not a term widely used in established neuroscience and does not designate a recognized cell type in standard references. It may be a misspelling, a neologism from niche literature, or a fictional term. In most scientific contexts, the corresponding, well-defined cell type is the astrocyte.

Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells of the central nervous system that perform a range of support and regulatory functions for neurons. They help maintain ionic and chemical homeostasis in the extracellular milieu, regulate neurotransmitter uptake and metabolism, and contribute to the integrity of the blood–brain barrier. They also provide metabolic support to neurons through glycolysis and lactate shuttling and participate in the modulation of synaptic activity, including gliotransmission and synaptic pruning.

Developmentally, astrocytes arise from neural progenitors during CNS formation, with radial glia serving as important early progenitors. They exhibit regional and functional heterogeneity, with protoplasmic astrocytes predominating in gray matter and fibrous astrocytes in white matter. Molecularly, astrocytes express markers such as GFAP, S100β, and ALDH1L1, and canalize water and ion transport via aquaporin-4 channels enriched at perivascular endfeet.

In pathology, astrocytes contribute to responses after CNS injury through reactive gliosis and scar formation, and their dysfunction is linked to conditions including epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, edema, and multiple sclerosis. Research into astrocyte biology continues to reveal complex roles in energy metabolism, inflammation, and neural circuit dynamics.

If astrocytene appears in literature or discussion, it is likely an informal or erroneous usage rather than a standard scientific term. For clarity, refer to established literature on astrocytes.