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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes
Published on: October 4, 2018
Models of astrocytic Ca dynamics and epilepsy
Reno C Reyes1, Vladimir Parpura
1Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanotechnology Laboratories, Civitan International Research Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294.
Abstract:
Neurons have been the focus of neuroscience research. Only recently, however, astrocytes, a subset of glial cells, have been on the neurobiology "radar" owing to their Ca(2+) excitability, which allows them to signal to other astrocytes and neurons. This review summarizes the models for studying astrocytic Ca(2+) dynamics and the consequential Ca(2+)- dependent glutamate release, which plays a role in astrocytic-neuronal signaling and have been implicated in epilepsy.
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