Astrocytes Control Synapse Formation, Function, and Elimination

Astrocytes, through their close associations with synapses, can monitor and alter synaptic function, thus actively controlling synaptic transmission in the adult brain. Besides their important role at adult synapses, in the last three decades a number of critical findings have highlighted the import...

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Published inCold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology Vol. 7; no. 9; p. a020370
Main Authors Chung, Won-Suk, Allen, Nicola J, Eroglu, Cagla
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 01.09.2015
Subjects
Animals
Astrocytes - physiology
Humans
Synapses - physiology
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Summary:Astrocytes, through their close associations with synapses, can monitor and alter synaptic function, thus actively controlling synaptic transmission in the adult brain. Besides their important role at adult synapses, in the last three decades a number of critical findings have highlighted the importance of astrocytes in the establishment of synaptic connectivity in the developing brain. In this article, we will review the key findings on astrocytic control of synapse formation, function, and elimination. First, we will summarize our current structural and functional understanding of astrocytes at the synapse. Then, we will discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which developing and mature astrocytes instruct the formation, maturation, and refinement of synapses. Our aim is to provide an overview of astrocytes as important players in the establishment of a functional nervous system.
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ISSN:1943-0264
1943-0264
DOI:10.1101/cshperspect.a020370