Astrocyte influence of synaptic plasticity: do they or not?

[James Zheng]

One exciting development in neuroscience is the notion that astroglial
cells exhibit bi-directional communication with neurons. While
astrocytes are known to possess receptors for neurotransmitter and can
be activated by neuronal activity, it is quite exciting to learn that
neuronal activity (synaptic activity) is also influenced by factors
secreted from astrocytes or do they really do that? Here are the
links to two papers that highlight the ongoing debate regarding the
role of astrocytes in synaptic activity. We are welcome to post your
thoughts here (after you have actually read the papers). - James


Perea G and Araque A (2007): Astrocytes potentiate transmitter release
at single hippocampal synapses. Science 317:1083.
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/317/5841/1083

Fiacco et al. (2007): Selective Stimulation of Astrocyte Calcium In
Situ Does Not Affect Neuronal Excitatory Synaptic Activity. Neuron
54(4): 497-500.

[James Zheng]

Link for the second paper is here:
http://www.neuron.org/content/article/abstract?uid=PIIS0896627307003364&highlight=astrocyte

[James Zheng]

This issue of NEURON just published a review about astrocyte influence
on synaptic activity. See the paper at
http://www.neuron.org/content/article/abstract?uid=PIIS0896627308007514