Radial glia: a changing role in the central nervous system

Abstract

Until a few years ago, radial glial cells were seen primarily as providing a supporting role to guide the migration of newborn neurons in the developing central nervous system. Recent studies, however, suggest that not only do radial glial cells give rise to new neurons during development, but that they also may become the neural stem cells that reside in the neurogenic regions of the adult central nervous system. So, should we rethink the role of radial glial cells? Do they play a part in providing new neurons in the adult brain, and could radial glial cells have the potential to repair degenerating neurons in the adult central nervous system?