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Astroglial Cell Contraction

Meaning

Astroglial cell contraction refers to the morphological change where astrocytes, the primary glial cells in the central nervous system, decrease their physical volume or retract their processes. While not directly an endocrine term, changes in glial structure significantly impact the neurovascular unit and the clearance of interstitial fluid, indirectly affecting pituitary and hypothalamic signaling. Such structural remodeling is often implicated in response to local inflammatory states or excitotoxicity. We observe this phenomenon as a marker of altered CNS microenvironment.