Astrocytes reassessment - an evolving concept part one: embryology, biology, morphology and reactivity.

Abstract

The goal of this review is to integrate - in its two parts - the considerable amount of information that has accumulated during these recent years over the morphology, biology and functions of astrocytes - first part - and to illustrate the active role of these cells in pathophysiological processes implicated in various psychiatric and neurologic disorders - second part.