#astrocytes

Leaflets and Signals

Multifunctional brain cells called astrocytes have delicate projections called leaflets which envelop neuron-neuron synapses (connections). Using volumetric high-resolution electron microscopy and two-photon Ca2+ (which signifies electrical activity) imaging, this study reveals without damaging their structure the details of how the astrocyte leaflets integrate signals from multiple synapses from different neurons

Read the published research article here

Still from a video from work by Lucas Benoit, Ines Hristovska and Nicolas Liaudet, and colleagues

University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1216, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Grenoble, France; Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

Video originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Published in Cell, September 2025

Propaganda!

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a nucleoside triphosphate that provides energy to drive and support many processes in living cells, such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and chemical synthesis. Found in all known forms of life, it is often referred to as the "molecular unit of currency" for intracellular energy transfer. When consumed in a metabolic process, ATP converts either to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or to adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Other processes regenerate ATP. It is also a precursor to DNA and RNA, and is used as a coenzyme. An average human adult processes around 50 kilograms daily.

Astrocytes (from Ancient Greek ἄστρον, "star" and κύτος, "cavity/cell") or Astroglia, named for their star shape

Astrocytes are so 🥺🤏🏼

Memory Engrams in the Neocortex. Brodt, S., & Gais, S. (2021). The Neuroscientist, 27(4), 427–444.

Neural representations of kinship. Clemens, A. M. (2021). Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 68, 116–123.

Astrocytes and Behavior. Kofuji, P., & Araque, A. (2021). Annual Review of Neuroscience, 44(1), 49–67.

Lessons from helping behavior in rats. Mason, P. (2021). Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 68, 52–56.

Astrocytes May Be Linked to Stuttering

Astrocyte