By: KJ Lavan The Convergence of Astrocyte Biology, Metabolism, and Neuropsychiatric Health A lready quietly unfolding at the frontiers of neuroscience and precision medicine is the era of “metabo-neuro” interventions , and astrocytes are a key to unlocking it. 🔬 Why Astrocytes? Astrocytes are no longer seen as just "support cells" in the brain. They are: Metabolic gatekeepers – regulating glucose and lactate delivery to neurons. Neurotransmitter modulators – recycling glutamate, shaping synaptic transmission. Neuroimmune mediators – producing cytokines, responding to systemic inflammation. Circadian regulators – influencing sleep, feeding, and energy homeostasis. In essence, astrocytes translate metabolic cues into neural outcomes. 🔁 The Metabo-Neuro Feedback Loop There’s a bi-directional dialogue between metabolic health and brain health: Systemic metabolic dysfunction (e.g., insulin resistance, obesity) → astrocyte inflammation →...
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Resident T-Cells in Healthy Brains: A Paradigm Shift in Neuroimmunology
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Here is a concise research brief summarizing the significance of the discovery of T cells in healthy brains and its implications for neuroinflammation and cognitive function research: Research Brief Title: Resident T Cells in Healthy Brains: A Paradigm Shift in Neuroimmunology Date: June 2025 Prepared for: Neuroscience and Immunology Research Stakeholders Author: KJ Lavan Background Historically, the brain has been viewed as an immune-privileged organ—largely insulated from systemic immune surveillance. T cells were thought to infiltrate the brain primarily during pathological events such as infections, trauma, or autoimmune diseases. However, new evidence (Source: The Subfornical Organ is a Nucleus for Gut-Derived T-Cells that Regulate Behavior, Yoshida, et al., Nature, 2025) reveals that T cells are not transient visitors but resident cells in healthy brains , raising critical questions about their function...