Diversity of synaptic astrocyte–neuron signaling

Abstract Fast signal exchange between neurons and astrocytes at the synaptic level has attracted considerable attention. Astrocytes often respond with Ca2+ transients to widely different neuronal synaptic activity. At the same time, astrocyte Ca2+ elevations trigger profound and diverse changes of both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. Here, we briefly review examples of the heterogeneity of Ca2+-dependent astrocyte–neuron communication in the rodent hippocampus and discuss mechanisms that could maintain specificity of synaptic astrocyte–neuron signaling in the face of its diversity.
Source: e-Neuroforum - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research