Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

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...
Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

Overview
The Blood-brain Barrier00:49

The Blood-brain Barrier

Overview
Neuron Structure01:30

Neuron Structure

Neurons are the main type of cell in the nervous system that generate and transmit electrochemical signals. They primarily communicate with each other using neurotransmitters at specific junctions called synapses. Neurons come in many shapes that often relate to their function, but most share three main structures: an axon and dendrites that extend out from a cell body.
Structure and Function of Neurons
The neuronal cell body—the soma— houses the nucleus and organelles vital to cellular...
Neurons as Communicators of the Brain01:22

Neurons as Communicators of the Brain

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, function as the primary transmitters of information throughout the body. Their ability to communicate through electrical and chemical signals is vital for every bodily function, from regulating the heartbeat to processing complex thoughts. Each neuron has three main components: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon, each specialized to facilitate swift and efficient neural communication.
Cell Body
The cell body, also known...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

PARP1 rewires neuroinflammatory and redox metabolism associated with reactive neuroglia in neuropathic pain.

Redox biology·2026
Same author

A sham-controlled randomised trial evaluating the safety, acceptability, and efficacy of autonomic neuromodulation using transcutaneous vagal sensory stimulation in uncontrolled hypertensive patients: rationale and study design of the SCRATCH-HTN study.

Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine·2026
Same author

Long term administration of selective NMDA GluN2B receptor blocker Ro25-6981 attenuates neurodegeneration in mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1).

Cell death discovery·2026
Same author

A redox sensor in protein kinase A regulatory subunit Iα regulates vasodilation and protects against hypertension.

Redox biology·2026
Same author

Why The Polyvagal Theory Is Untenable: An international expert evaluation of the polyvagal theory and commentary upon Porges, S.W. (2025). Polyvagal theory: current status, clinical applications, and future directions. Clin. Neuropsychiatry, 22(3), 169-184.

Clinical neuropsychiatry·2026
Same author

Physiological Significance of Endothelial M3 Muscarinic Receptors During Exercise.

Circulation research·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes
10:10

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Published on: October 4, 2018

Astrocytes as brain interoceptors.

Alexander V Gourine1, Sergey Kasparov

  • 1Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK. a.gourine@ucl.ac.uk

Experimental Physiology
|January 25, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Astrocytes act as central respiratory chemoreceptors, sensing blood pH changes in the brainstem. This function helps regulate breathing by relaying sensory information to neural networks.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Astrocytes are glial cells forming a crucial vascular-neuronal interface in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • They provide structural and metabolic support, enwrapping synapses and releasing gliotransmitters that modulate neuronal activity.
  • Recent research suggests astrocytes play a role in sensory detection and information transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review data implicating astrocytes in sensory modality detection and information transmission.
  • To explore the concept of astrocytes as brain interoceptors, particularly in respiratory control.
  • To present findings on astrocytes functioning as central respiratory chemoreceptors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific data and studies.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Culture of Mouse Cortical Astrocytes
11:25

Isolation and Culture of Mouse Cortical Astrocytes

Published on: January 19, 2013

Investigation of Spatial Interaction Between Astrocytes and Neurons in Cleared Brains
05:17

Investigation of Spatial Interaction Between Astrocytes and Neurons in Cleared Brains

Published on: March 31, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes
10:10

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Published on: October 4, 2018

Isolation and Culture of Mouse Cortical Astrocytes
11:25

Isolation and Culture of Mouse Cortical Astrocytes

Published on: January 19, 2013

Investigation of Spatial Interaction Between Astrocytes and Neurons in Cleared Brains
05:17

Investigation of Spatial Interaction Between Astrocytes and Neurons in Cleared Brains

Published on: March 31, 2022

  • Analysis of research on central nervous mechanisms of breathing control.
  • Investigation of astrocyte function in the medulla oblongata.

    • Main Results:

    • Astrocytes are implicated in detecting various sensory modalities and transmitting this information.
    • Data strongly supports the concept of astrocytes as brain interoceptors.
    • Astrocytes in the medulla oblongata function as central respiratory chemoreceptors, sensing pH levels.

    Conclusions:

    • Astrocytes are vital for sensory processing and transmitting information to neural networks controlling behavior.
    • Astrocytes act as functional central respiratory chemoreceptors, sensing arterial and brain pH.
    • This sensing mechanism allows astrocytes to modulate respiratory networks and induce adaptive changes in ventilation.