Research progress on the role of astrocytes in vascular dementia

ZHAO Yongli; ZHAO Weina; WANG Jianhang; CHEN Lingyu; CHEN Xiaojie; LI Shiyu; JIAO Yang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2096-5516.2025.04.007

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Chinese Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders ›› 2025, Vol. 8 ›› Issue (4) : 259-264. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.2096-5516.2025.04.007

Review

Research progress on the role of astrocytes in vascular dementia

ZHAO Yongli ¹ ,
ZHAO Weina ²^,³^,⁴ ,
WANG Jianhang ¹^,⁴ ,
CHEN Lingyu ¹^,⁴ ,
CHEN Xiaojie ¹^,⁴ ,
LI Shiyu ¹^,⁴ ,
JIAO Yang ²^,⁴

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Abstract

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a severe syndrome of cognitive impairment caused by ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and cerebrovascular lesions that cause hypoperfusion of memory, cognitive, and behavioral brain regions. Among the types of dementia, VaD is the second most common cause after Alzheimer's disease, but the pathogenesis of VaD is still unclear. Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells in the central nervous system.Astrocytes have the ability to produce and release specific neurotransmitters, and express corresponding neurotransmitter receptors,which can respond to a variety of neuroactive substances.In recent years, a large number of studies have been carried out on the role of astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS), and this article reviews the current role and mechanism of astrocytes in the progression of VaD based on the research background and research significance.We hope to provide a useful reference for understanding the pathogenesis of VaD and exploring new treatment methods and bring new breakthroughs in the treatment of clinical VaD.

Key words

Vascular dementia / Astrocyte / Neuroinflammation

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ZHAO Yongli , ZHAO Weina , WANG Jianhang , et al . Research progress on the role of astrocytes in vascular dementia[J]. Chinese Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders. 2025, 8(4): 259-264 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.2096-5516.2025.04.007

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