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Glial Cell Contraction

Meaning

Glial cell contraction refers to the active, dynamic morphological change, primarily observed in astrocytes and microglia, involving the retraction or extension of their cellular processes, which dynamically alters the perivascular and synaptic environment in the central nervous system. This action is a vital, active component of neurovascular coupling, controlling local blood flow, and regulating the integrity of the critical blood-brain barrier. It is a fundamental, often hormonally-mediated, process that modulates interstitial fluid dynamics and synaptic plasticity. Dysregulation of glial cell contraction is increasingly implicated in various neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and cognitive conditions.