| Glial scar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Micrograph of the superficial cerebral cortex showing neuron loss and reactive astrocytes in a person who had a stroke. H&E-LFB stain. | |
| Specialty | Pathology |
| Causes | Trauma |
A glial scar formation (gliosis) is a reactive cellular process involving astrogliosis that occurs after injury to the central nervous system. As with scarring in other organs and tissues, the glial scar is the body's mechanism to protect and begin the healing process in the nervous system.
In the context of neurodegeneration, formation of the glial scar has been shown to have both beneficial and detrimental effects. Particularly, many neuro-developmental inhibitor molecules are secreted by the cells within the scar that prevent complete physical and functional recovery of the central nervous system after injury or disease.[citation needed] On the other hand, absence of the glial scar has been associated with impairments in the repair of the blood brain barrier.[1]
- ^ Faulkner JR, Herrmann JE, Woo MJ, Tansey KE, Doan NB, Sofroniew MV (March 2004). "Reactive astrocytes protect tissue and preserve function after spinal cord injury". J. Neurosci. 24 (9): 2143–55. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3547-03.2004. PMC 6730429. PMID 14999065.