Neurological disorders may also occur as the result of infection. The accumulated information about non-neuronal cells is much less than that for neurons, and critical molecular and immunological reagents are not easy to obtain. We must understand the normal functions of glia and other non-neuronal cells so we can elucidate their roles in disorders such as perinatal injury, multiple sclerosis, tumors, infections like AIDS, and in inhibiting neuronal regeneration following injury. In addition to their traditional roles in maintaining the neuronal milieu, possible new roles of glia in information processing demand investigation. Understanding how to manipulate its selective permeability is essential for all efforts at drug therapy.
Glial cells are responsible for the most aggressive type of brain tumor, the glioblastoma.
A goal is to sequence all genes activated when this tumor arises in order to understand what causes uncontrolled tumor cell proliferation and invasion of surrounding brain tissue. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.