The gliocentric hypothesis of the pathophysiology of the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

The hypothesis is based on glial–neuronal interactions in the cardio-respiratory centre of the brainstem. Recently, it has been experimentally verified that glial cells, especially astrocytes, exert a modulatory function in the maintenance of homeostasis in this brain region. In addition, astrocytes may also control the rhythms of heartbeat and breathing in a pulsatile manner. Based on a model of the glial–neuronal–vascular interactions in the networks of the cardio-respiratory centre in the brainstem, possible impairments of glial function that may be responsible for the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are proposed. Finally, general approaches for testing the hypothesis are outlined.