Astrocytic dysfunction: insights on the role in neurodegeneration
D Rossi, A Volterra - Brain research bulletin, 2009 - Elsevier
For decades, astrocytes have been regarded as passive partners of neurons in central
nervous system (CNS) function. Studies of the last 20 years, however, challenged this view
by demonstrating that astrocytes possess functional receptors for neurotransmitters and
respond to their stimulation via release of gliotransmitters, including glutamate. Notably,
astrocytes react to synaptically released neurotransmitters with intracellular calcium ([Ca2+])
elevations, which result in the release of glutamate via regulated exocytosis and, possibly …
nervous system (CNS) function. Studies of the last 20 years, however, challenged this view
by demonstrating that astrocytes possess functional receptors for neurotransmitters and
respond to their stimulation via release of gliotransmitters, including glutamate. Notably,
astrocytes react to synaptically released neurotransmitters with intracellular calcium ([Ca2+])
elevations, which result in the release of glutamate via regulated exocytosis and, possibly …