Decreased number and increased activation state of astrocytes in gray and white matter of the prefrontal cortex in autism.

ABSTRACT: The cerebral cortex presents with alterations in the number of specific cell types in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Astrocytes have many functions in the brain including a role in higher cognitive functions and in inflammatory brain processes. Therefore, an alteration in number, function, and/or activation state of astrocytes, could be present in ASD. We quantified astrocyte number in the gray and white matter of the prefrontal cortex-BA9, BA46, and BA47-in 15 ASD and 15 age- and sex-matched control cases. We labeled astrocytes with antibodies against the protein GFAP and S100β, markers of astrocytes. We found a significant decrease in the number of astrocytes in the gray and white matter of all prefrontal areas of interest with both markers. We also found an increased state of activatio

SUBMITTER: Vakilzadeh G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9627019 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature