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Sensing and Regulating Synaptic Activity by Astrocytes at Tripartite Synapse

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Abstract

Astrocytes are recognized as more important cells than historically thought in synaptic function through the reciprocal exchange of signaling with the neuronal synaptic elements. The idea that astrocytes are active elements in synaptic physiology is conceptualized in the Tripartite Synapse concept. This review article presents and discusses recent representative examples that highlight the heterogeneity of signaling in tripartite synapse function and its consequences on neural network function and animal behavior.

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Funding

This work was supported by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [Grant No. R01NS097312] and National Institute on Drug Abuse [Grant No. R01DA048822]. National Institute of Mental Health [Grant No R01MH119355].

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  1. Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    José Antonio Noriega-Prieto & Alfonso Araque

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  1. José Antonio Noriega-Prieto
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  2. Alfonso Araque
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Correspondence to Alfonso Araque.

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Noriega-Prieto, J.A., Araque, A. Sensing and Regulating Synaptic Activity by Astrocytes at Tripartite Synapse. Neurochem Res 46, 2580–2585 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-021-03317-x

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