Astrogliosis (also known as
astrocytosis or referred to as
reactive astrocytosis) is an abnormal increase in the number of
astrocytes due to the destruction of nearby
neurons from CNS
trauma,
infection,
ischemia,
stroke,
autoimmune responses, and neurodegenerative disease. In healthy neural tissue,
astrocytes play critical roles in energy provision, regulation of blood flow, homeostasis of extracellular fluid, homeostasis of ions and transmitters, and regulation of synapse function, and synaptic remodeling. Astrogliosis changes the molecular expression and morphology of astrocytes, causing scar formation and, in severe cases, inhibition of
axon regeneration.