Neuroglial cells are the supporting cells of the nervous system. They can be classified into two groups depending on the part of the nervous system.
Astrocytes
The largest of neuroglial cells.
- Closely associated with neurons to support and modulate their activities
- Moving metabolites (namely potassium regulation (buffering) in the brain)
- Water homeostasis to and from brain tissue
- Induce the formation of synapses
- Provide coverage for the bare areas of myelinated axons (nodes of Ranvier and synapses), however, they do not form myelin
- Help maintain (but not form) the blood-brain barrier.
So to sum up, they help in the