How astrocytic ATP shapes neuronal activity and brain circuits
Jonathan Lezmy
Abstract
Astrocytes play a key role in processing information at synapses, by controlling synapse formation, modulating synapse strength and terminating neurotransmitter action. They release ATP to shape brain activity but it is unclear how, as astrocyte processes contact many targets and ATP-mediated effects are diverse and numerous. Here, I review recent studies showing how astrocytic ATP modulates cellular mechanisms in nearby neurons and glia in the grey and white matter, how it affects signal transmission in these areas, and how it modulates behavioural outputs. I attempt to provide a flowchart of astrocytic ATP signalling, showing that it tends to inhibit neural circuits to match energy demands.
Topics & Concepts
NeuroscienceAstrocyteBiological neural networkSynapseSignallingNeurotransmissionBiologyNeuronal circuitsPremovement neuronal activityExcitatory postsynaptic potentialNeurotransmitterCell biologyInhibitory postsynaptic potentialCentral nervous systemBiochemistryReceptorNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchAdenosine and Purinergic SignalingNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms