It is now established that neuroglia are the intimate partners of neurons and that neuronal function is a result of neuron-glia interrelations at several levels of organization. The literature shows that the study of phylogeny has contributed a deeper understand ing of the complex functions of the neuroglia and the neuron-glia unit. It is the purpose of Neuron-Glia Interrelations During Phylog eny: I. Phylogeny and Ontogeny of Glial Cells, as well as its compan ion volume Neuron-Glia Interrelations During Phylogeny: II. Plasticity and Regeneration, to present to the scientific community a broad spectrum of information on neuroglia through phylog eny and ontogeny, the focus of this volume. In view of the role of neuroglia in plasticity and regeneration, the companion volume will cover this aspect of neuroglia during phylogeny. Neuron-Glia Interrelations During Phylogeny: I. Phylogeny and Ontogeny of Glial Cells begins with the elegant chapter "Glial Types, Gliogenesis, and Extracellular Matrix in Mammalian CNS" by Amico Bignami, to whom this volume is dedicated. He was one of the pioneers in describing gliogenesis and this chapter brings together everything we know today on this critical topic. It also includes the latest views of Bignami on the role of extracellular matrix in gliogenesis and glial functions. "Evolution of Astrocytes in the Vertebrate CNS" by Suarez et al. complements and extends the information in Bignami's chapter by including ependymal astrocytes.

Klappentext

Leading international authorities report on their in vivo studies of neuron-glia interactions in animals with simple nervous systems (insects, fish, amphibians, and reptiles). Their work amounts to an in-depth account of many of the principal functions of glial cells: myelination, regulation of ionic environment, neurotransmitter compartmentation and neurotransmitter receptors, blood-brain barrier, regeneration, and aging. Part I examines the origin and role of glial cells during development across the phylogenetic spectrum, including the evolution of their particular functions. Part II discusses the physiological and metabolic interactions between neurons and glia, again across phylogenetic groups. Neuron-Glia Interrelations During Phylogeny illuminates the evolution of the nervous system and expands our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in regeneration and central nervous system repair. It constitutes a virtual encyclopedia of up-to-date findings concerning the significant roles played by glial cells in neuronal development and function.

Inhalt
I: Phylogeny and Ontogeny of Glial Cells.- Glial Types, Gliogenesis, and Extracellular Matrix in Mammalian CNS.- Evolution of Astrocytes in the Vertebrate CNS.- The Role and Fate of Radial Glial Cells During Development of the Mammalian Cortex.- Astrocyte Differentiation and Correlated Neuronal Changes in the Opossum Superior Colliculus.- Neuron/Glia Lineages During Early Nervous System Development in Amphibian and Chicken Embryos.- The Neuroglia in the CNS of Teleosts.- In Vitro Studies of Astrocyte Development in Higher Mammals Gregory.- Schwann Cells in Phylogeny.- Glial Interactions with Neurons During Drosophila Development.- II: Phylogeny of Myelination.- The Evolution of Myelinating Cells.- A Cellular and Molecular Approach to Myelinogenesis in the CNS of Trout.