Astrogliosis

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Astrocytosis (astrogliosis) is an abnormal increase in the number of astrocytes due to the destruction of nearby neurons, typically because of hypoglycemia or oxygen deprivation (hypoxia).

It usually takes place in prion infections. It is especially prevalent in fatal familial insomnia, a prion infection affecting the thalamus and circadian rhythms.

This manifests as astrocytic edema, hypertrophy, proliferation, and increased motility.

In the central nervous system, the proliferation of reactive astrocytes also leads to the formation of a glial scar.

Astrogliosis is a major pathological finding in Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

It is also sometimes a finding in sudden infant death syndrom (SIDS).

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