TY - JOUR

T1 - Assessment of astrocytes as a mediator of memory and learning in rodents

AU - Akther, Sonam

AU - Hirase, Hajime

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - The classical view of astrocytes is that they provide supportive functions for neurons, transporting metabolites and maintaining the homeostasis of the extracellular milieu. This view is gradually changing with the advent of molecular genetics and optical methods allowing interrogation of selected cell types in live experimental animals. An emerging view that astrocytes additionally act as a mediator of synaptic plasticity and contribute to learning processes has gained in vitro and in vivo experimental support. Here we focus on the literature published in the past two decades to review the roles of astrocytes in brain plasticity in rodents, whereby the roles of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators are considered to be comparable to those in humans. We outline established inputs and outputs of astrocytes and discuss how manipulations of astrocytes have impacted the behavior in various learning paradigms. Multiple studies suggest that the contribution of astrocytes has a considerably longer time course than neuronal activation, indicating metabolic roles of astrocytes. We advocate that exploring upstream and downstream mechanisms of astrocytic activation will further provide insight into brain plasticity and memory/learning impairment.

AB - The classical view of astrocytes is that they provide supportive functions for neurons, transporting metabolites and maintaining the homeostasis of the extracellular milieu. This view is gradually changing with the advent of molecular genetics and optical methods allowing interrogation of selected cell types in live experimental animals. An emerging view that astrocytes additionally act as a mediator of synaptic plasticity and contribute to learning processes has gained in vitro and in vivo experimental support. Here we focus on the literature published in the past two decades to review the roles of astrocytes in brain plasticity in rodents, whereby the roles of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators are considered to be comparable to those in humans. We outline established inputs and outputs of astrocytes and discuss how manipulations of astrocytes have impacted the behavior in various learning paradigms. Multiple studies suggest that the contribution of astrocytes has a considerably longer time course than neuronal activation, indicating metabolic roles of astrocytes. We advocate that exploring upstream and downstream mechanisms of astrocytic activation will further provide insight into brain plasticity and memory/learning impairment.

KW - astrocytes

KW - gliotransmission

KW - learning and memory

KW - metabolism

KW - volume transmission

KW - LONG-TERM POTENTIATION

KW - RAT-BRAIN ASTROCYTES

KW - D-SERINE

KW - GLIAL-CELLS

KW - GLUTAMATE UPTAKE

KW - IN-SITU

KW - HIPPOCAMPAL ASTROCYTES

KW - NMDA RECEPTORS

KW - NERVOUS-SYSTEM

KW - VISUAL-CORTEX

U2 - 10.1002/glia.24099

DO - 10.1002/glia.24099

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34582594

VL - 70

SP - 1484

EP - 1505

JO - GLIA

JF - GLIA

SN - 0894-1491

IS - 8

ER -