Astrocyte response in Alzheimer's disease: Good or bad?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common age-associated neurodegenerative disease globally. The pathogenesis of AD is related to the progressive neuronal apoptosis due to progressive accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) which caused by hyperphosphorylation of tau protein. The accumulation of Aβ and NFTs in AD also affects the supporting cells such as microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes Predominantly, in response to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, synaptic failure, and neuronal apoptosis in AD, astrocytes become activated. This activation of astrocytes may be a compensatory mechanism to preserve neuronal function. Though, exaggerated astrocytic function may exacerbate neurodegeneration in AD. Consequently, the precise role of astrocytes in AD is not completely elucidated. Henceforth, this mini-review aims to explain and discuss the exact role of astrocytes in AD.