Astrogliosis
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2008-05-11T17:52:46Z
Onthevirge
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added link to 'Glial scar' article
{{Merge|gliosis|date=December 2007}}
Astrocytosis ('''astrogliosis''') is an abnormal increase in the number of [[astrocyte]]s due to the destruction of nearby [[neurons]], typically because of [[hypoglycemia]] or oxygen deprivation ([[Hypoxia (medical)|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]], [[Organ hypertrophy|hypertrophy]], proliferation, and increased motility.
In the [[central nervous system]], the proliferation of reactive astrocytes also leads to the formation of a [[glial scar]].
[[Category:Nervous system]]
[[Category:Histopathology]]
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