Final answer:
Damage to astrocytes can disrupt the sodium/potassium balance within neurons due to impaired K+ buffering and Na+/K+ ATPase function, leading to neuronal dysfunction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Damage to astrocytes can result in the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and a disruption in the balance of ions necessary for neuronal function, particularly concerning the Na+/K+ ATPase at the plasma membrane of neurons. Astrocytes play crucial roles in the central nervous system (CNS), such as maintaining the local chemical environment, buffering potassium ions (K+), and modulating neuron activity through gliotransmission. When astrocytes are damaged, their ability to buffer K+ is impaired, and the function of the Na+/K+ pump can be affected or even reversed, leading to a sodium/potassium imbalance within neurons. This imbalance negatively impacts the neurons' internal chemistry, preventing them from functioning normally and potentially resulting in neuronal dysfunction and death.