The Importance of Glia in Dealing with Stress

Glia are starting to be accepted as the equal of neurons. Glia's role in stress and disease as well as the latest glial modulators are reviewed. Environmental enrichment and exercise can increase intelligence, a buffer against stress, most likely via glial involvement. Cerebral dominance is also related to how glia respond to stress resulting in psychiatric illness. Glial effects on depression and schizophrenia are reviewed. Astrocytes, microglia, NG2 cells, and oligodendrocytes all contribute. Suicidal ideation can increase the permeability of the BBB resulting in the increase in serum levels of a glial protein S100B that has become a marker for the intensity of suicidal risk. Microglia form one of the bases of the inflammatory theory of psychiatric disorders. Minocycline, adenosine and cAMP inhibitors, such as PDE-4 inhibitors, have been used to modulate the microglia, with positive results in psychiatric illness. Controlling the microglia can even be protective against drug abuse. Recently a glymphatic system has been discovered in mice that if applicable to humans means that we clean out our brains in sleep.