Physiology and Pathophysiology

Question 1

What do Astrocytes do?
(5 functions)

Are they in the brain, spinal cord, and/or peripheral nervous system?

Answer 1

Scaffolding, scarring, Energy and ECF homeostasis for neurons, BBB, clears out synapses.

Found in the Brain and Spinal Cord only.

Question 2

What do Microglial cells do?

2 functions

Answer 2

They are the CNS immune cells. They’re the equivalent of macrophages AND antigen-presenting cells (tissue phagocytes).

Question 3

How are Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) and Multiple Sclerosis different? (What is the AB target in NMO vs MS?)

Bonus: what %age of MS patients present with optic neuritis?

Answer 3

Neuro-“MYELITIS” (think transverse myelitis) OPTICA (with optic neuritis). MS is Brain and Spinal cord, frequently presenting with Optic Neuritis.
(Aquaporin channel ABs for NMO; multiple targets in MS)

(20% present with Optic Neuritis.)

Question 4

What do Oligodendrocytes do?

What’s the diff btw an Oligodendrocyte and a Schwann Cell?

Answer 4

These are the cells responsible for myelination in the CNS.

Oligodendrocytes are CNS myelin cells; Schwann Cells are peripheral myelin cells.