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Published in: Brain Structure and Function 5/2016

01-06-2016 | Review

Perisynaptic astroglial processes: dynamic processors of neuronal information

Authors: Grégory Ghézali, Glenn Dallérac, Nathalie Rouach

Published in: Brain Structure and Function | Issue 5/2016

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Abstract

Neuroglial interactions are now recognized as essential to brain functions. Extensive research has sought to understand the modalities of such dialog by focusing on astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell type of the central nervous system. Neuron–astrocyte exchanges occur at multiple levels, at different cellular locations. With regard to information processing, regulations occurring around synapses are of particular interest as synaptic networks are thought to underlie higher brain functions. Astrocytes morphology is tremendously complex in that their processes exceedingly branch out to eventually form multitudinous fine leaflets. The latter extremities have been shown to surround many synapses, forming perisynaptic astrocytic processes, which although recognized as essential to synaptic functioning, are poorly defined elements due to their tiny size. The current review sums up the current knowledge on their molecular and structural properties as well as the functional characteristics making them good candidates for information processing units.
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Metadata
Title
Perisynaptic astroglial processes: dynamic processors of neuronal information
Authors
Grégory Ghézali
Glenn Dallérac
Nathalie Rouach
Publication date
01-06-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Brain Structure and Function / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 1863-2653
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2661
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-015-1070-3

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