The Role of Neuroglia in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Disruptive Behavior: A Broad Review of Current Literature

Neurodevelopmental disorders represent a significant health concern, leading to a wide range of clinical, cognitive, and social impairments. Although the exact causes of these disorders remain unclear, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors all contribute to their emergence. Recently, the role of neuroglia in the pathophysiology of these conditions has received increasing attention. Various glial mechanisms (e.g., neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter regulation, gliosis) have been implicated in both shared and distinct features of these disorders. The identification of novel etiological factors may facilitate the development of new therapeutic modalities targeting glial dysfunction. This review provides a comprehensive overview of neuroglia and summarizes the current understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and co-occurring disruptive behavioral disorders from a glial perspective. Furthermore, gaps in the literature are highlighted, and potential strategies for addressing these gaps and integrating findings into clinical practice are discussed.