The contact mediated role of astrocytes in dendritic growth and development

This thesis examines the effects of astrocytes on dendritic development by way of a long standing in vitro model. Research conducted for this thesis showed that physical contact with astrocytes minimizes dendritic growth as measured by Sholl ring analysis, but simultaneously seems to promote branching as measured by branch analysis. This thesis places these findings in the broader context of contemporary astrocyte research, in particular by striving to explain how the findings are compatible with the current understanding of astrocytes in the developing brain.