Mitochondria are abundant in the fine processes of astrocytes, however, potential roles for astrocyte mitochondria remain poorly understood.
Astrocytes not only regulate blood flow, but also transfer mitochondria to neurons, and supply the building blocks of neurotransmitters, which fuel neuronal metabolism [2,11,57].
In addition, astrocytes can phagocytose synapses, alter neurotrophin secretion, and clear debris [14,58].
Astrocytes are specialized glial cells that outnumber neurons by over fivefold.
They contiguously tile the entire central nervous system (CNS) and exert many essential complex functions in the healthy CNS.
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