What other neurological conditions are associated with gliosis?

From the Guidelines

Gliosis is associated with a wide range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and CNS infections like encephalitis. These conditions can lead to the activation of glial cells, resulting in gliosis, which is a reactive process that represents the brain's attempt to contain damage. According to the most recent study 1, gliosis can occur in various cognitive-behavioral syndromes, including progressive amnesic syndrome, progressive aphasic syndrome, and progressive visuospatial dysfunction, which are associated with different neuropathologic changes, such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), and Lewy body disease (LBD).

Some key conditions associated with gliosis include:

• Alzheimer's disease, which shows reactive gliosis around amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles 1
• Parkinson's disease, which exhibits gliosis in the substantia nigra 1
• Multiple sclerosis, which features gliosis in demyelinated plaques 1
• Traumatic brain injury, which triggers reactive gliosis as part of the healing response 1
• Stroke, which leads to gliosis in the penumbra surrounding the infarct 1
• CNS infections like encephalitis, which cause inflammatory gliosis 1
• Neurodegenerative conditions such as Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and prion diseases, which all demonstrate gliosis in affected brain regions 1

It's worth noting that gliosis can also occur in other conditions, such as toxic encephalopathies from alcohol or drug exposure, radiation injury to the brain, and chronic neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorders 1. However, the most recent and highest quality study 1 provides the most relevant information on the association between gliosis and various neurological conditions.

From the Research

Neurological Conditions Associated with Gliosis

Gliosis is associated with various neurological conditions, including:

• Alzheimer's disease, as evidenced by the presence of neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and Lewy bodies in the substantia nigra and neocortex 2
• Parkinson's disease, characterized by the accumulation of Lewy bodies and neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra 2, 3
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), marked by atrophy and gliosis with intraneuronal ubiquitin inclusions in the anterior horns of the spinal cord 2, 3
• Multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating disease that can lead to gliosis and neurodegeneration 3
• Diffuse Lewy body disease, characterized by the accumulation of Lewy bodies in the neocortex and substantia nigra 2

Common Pathological Features

These conditions often exhibit common pathological features, including:

• Neurodegeneration and loss of neurons 2, 3
• Inflammation and activation of microglial cells 4, 5
• Reactive gliosis, characterized by the activation and proliferation of astrocytes 4, 6, 5
• Accumulation of abnormal protein conformers, such as amyloid-β, tau, and α-synuclein 3

Role of Astrocyte Activation and Reactive Gliosis

Astrocyte activation and reactive gliosis can play a dual role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, with both beneficial and detrimental effects:

• Beneficial effects: isolation and sequestration of the affected region, active neuroprotection, and regulation of CNS homeostasis 5
• Detrimental effects: inhibition of neuroplasticity and CNS regeneration, and potential contribution to disease progression 5