astrocytes

Astrocytes and synaptic plasticity

harminka — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:16:25 -0500

By mopping up excess neurotrophic factor from neuronal synapses, astrocytes may finely tune synaptic transmission to affect processes such as learning and memory, say Bergami et al.

Neuronal Activation by Astrocytic Calcium

harminka — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:08:24 -0500

Increases in intracellular calcium cause astrocytes to release glutamate, but evidence that this glutamate produces currents in neurons has been contradictory.

Spontaneous Astrocytic Ca2+ Oscillations and Neurite Growth

harminka — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:54:01 -0500

This week, Kanemaru et al. explore the signaling pathway between spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations in cultured astrocytes and the promotion of neurite growth. Their results reveal a role for the membrane-bound adhesion molecule N-cadherin.