Cells on the edge: boundary astrocytes and neurons

Abstract

The caudate-putamen nucleus (neostriatum) is organized as a mosaic of two compartments that during development are cordoned off by astrocytes and associated glycoconjugates. There are complex interactions between these boundary astrocytes and neurons during pattern formation in the neostriatal mosaic, with distinct classes of neurons (such as NADPH-d/NOS cells) residing within boundary as well as nonboundary sites. An hypothesis is presented that implicates glial cells, different classes of neurons, synaptic activity, and neurotoxicity in the shaping of normal cytoarchitectonic and connectional arrangements in the neostriatum. Within such a scenario, special glial cells and neurons are on the edge between compartments, living and dying.