Journal
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
Volume 78, Issue -, Pages 18-27Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.07.008
Keywords
Excitatory synapse; Astrocyte; TGF-beta 1; Synaptogenesis; Synapse elimination
Categories
Funding
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)
- Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)
- Fundacao Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Brain function depends critically on the coordinated activity of presynaptic and postsynaptic signals derived from both neurons and non-neuronal elements such as glial cells. A key role for astrocytes in neuronal differentiation and circuitry formation has emerged within the last decade. Although the function of glial cells in synapse formation, elimination and efficacy has greatly increased, we are still very far from deeply understanding the molecular and cellular mechanism underlying these events. The present review discusses the mechanisms driving astrocytic control of excitatory and inhibitory synapse formation in the central nervous system, especially the mechanisms mediated by soluble molecules, particularly those from the TGF-beta family. Further, we discuss whether and how human astrocytes might contribute to the acquisition of human cognition. We argue that understanding how astrocytic signals regulate synaptic development might offer new insights into human perception, learning, memory, and cognition and, ultimately, provide new targets for the treatment of neurological diseases. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available