The Role of Neurogenic Astroglial Cells in the Developing and Adult Central Nervous System

This chapter focuses on the role of neurogenic astroglial cells in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Recent findings have elucidated a more complex role for astroglial cells in the development of CNS structures across many species. Mitotically active radial glial cells line the ventricular system throughout the developing CNS and have been shown to generate neocortical neurons in rodents. Precursor cells in the ventricular zone (VZ) can divide symmetrically or asymmetrically, and evidence indicates that both types of divisions coexist throughout the entire period of cortical neurogenesis.