Glial scar formation (gliosis) is a reactive cellular process involving astrogliosis that occurs after injury to the Central Nervous System. As with scarring in other organs and tissues, the glial scar is the body's mechanism to protect and begin the healing process in the nervous system.
In the context of neurodegeneration, formation of the glial scar has been shown to have both beneficial and detrimental effects. Particularly, many neuro-developmental inhibitor molecules are secreted by the cells within the scar that prevent complete physical and functional recovery of the central nervous system after injury or disease. On the other hand, absence of the glial scar has been associated with impairments in the repair of the blood brain barrier.
Read more about Glial Scar: Beneficial Effects of The Scar, Detrimental Effects of The Scar, Primary Scar Molecular Inducers, Suppression of Glial Scar Formation
Famous quotes containing the word scar:
“One hand stiff—heaviness of forties & menopause reduced
by one heart stroke, lame now—wrinkles—a scar on
her head, the lobotomy—ruin, the hand dipping downwards to
death—”
—Allen Ginsberg (b. 1926)