Anorexia Nervosa, Schizophrenia, and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of the Role of Tanycytes in Individual and Social Behavior

Located along the third ventricle of the hypothalamus, tanycytes are a type of glial cell that are prominent components of metabolic, homeostatic, and immunological signaling and transport. Behavioral deficits observed in disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN), schizophrenia (SCZ), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been observed and can be linked to the various functions of tanycytes. This review investigates the association between tanycytes and AN, SCZ, and ASD, potentially giving insight into the pathogenesis of these disorders. Specifically, attention is paid to the role of tanycytes in immunological and metabolic pathways, as well as their involvement in the hypothalamic parenchyma via extended processes. Knowledge about the basic molecular and behavioral pathology of AN, SCZ, and ASD may help establish the link between tanycytes and behavior, both on the individual and social level. More mechanistic studies are required, as currently available data are just hypothesis-generating and not mechanistically established.