Cell volume in the CNS: Regulation and implications for nervous system function and pathology

Swelling of cells in the nervous system is frequently associated with pathological states such as cerebral ischemia. The major cell type that swells in gray matter appears to be the astrocyte, although swelling of neuronal dendrites also occurs. Such swelling probably affects function by reducing the volume of the extracellular space, In addition the properties of the swollen cells themselves are altered, such as the swelling-induced release of excitatory amino acids, which are likely to be deleterious. Recent work has shown that these effects, linked to astrocytic swelling, may be involved in pathological states such as cerebral ischemia and trauma. Increased understanding of such swelling in the CNS will thus be of great importance in understanding mechanisms of brain damage and may provide specific sites for therapeutic intervention.