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Related Concept Videos

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells01:31

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that interact...
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Neurotransmitters are integral to the brain's communication system, enabling neurons to transmit signals across synapses. This chemical exchange underpins various cognitive functions, including memory processes. The role of neurotransmitters in memory is multifaceted, influencing the encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of memories through their action on different neural circuits.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A Dual-Color Fiber Photometry Method for Recording Astrocyte-Neuron Activity Across Multiple Brain Regions During Learning and Memory Behaviors
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Glia: they make your memories stick!

Jaideep S Bains1, Stéphane H R Oliet

  • 1Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Trends in Neurosciences
|July 17, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Glial cells actively regulate brain plasticity and memory by releasing gliotransmitters that control AMPA receptor numbers at synapses. These findings highlight glia

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • Synaptic plasticity, essential for learning and memory, often involves altering postsynaptic AMPA receptor numbers.
  • Glial cells, traditionally viewed as support cells, are increasingly recognized for their active roles in neuronal function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of glial cells in regulating synaptic plasticity through gliotransmitter release.
  • To investigate how gliotransmitters influence AMPA receptor density and synaptic strength.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies on glial cell involvement in synaptic plasticity.
  • Analysis of gliotransmitter actions (D-serine, ATP, TNF-alpha) on AMPA receptor trafficking.

Main Results:

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Dissection and Isolation of Murine Glia from Multiple Central Nervous System Regions
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  • Glial cells release D-serine, ATP, and TNF-alpha, which modulate postsynaptic AMPA receptor density.
  • D-serine availability is critical for inducing long-term potentiation and long-term depression.
  • ATP and TNF-alpha promote AMPA receptor insertion, enhancing synaptic strength independently of coincident activity.

Conclusions:

  • Glial cells play a crucial and active role in regulating synaptic plasticity and higher brain functions.
  • The functional contributions of glia extend far beyond their historical description as mere "cellular glue".