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

Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

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...
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Efficient targeting of human glial progenitor cells in vivo with engineered AAV vectors and glymphatic delivery.

Nature biotechnology·2026
Same author

Noradrenergic infraslow rhythm during sleep is the critical link between heart-rate dynamics and memory consolidation.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Enhanced glymphatic CSF tracer influx during α2-adrenergic agonist anesthesia is independent of tracer injection duration.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Extending the glymphatic system beyond the brain: The Cochlear aqueduct as a neuroimmune gateway to the inner ear.

Neurobiology of disease·2026
Same author

Chronotherapy to reinforce circadian rhythms improves poststroke outcomes and glymphatic function in mice.

The Journal of clinical investigation·2026
Same author

Asymmetric Optic Disc Edema in Astronauts: A Narrative Review Proposing an Interplay Between Ocular Venous Congestion and Glymphatic Transport.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

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

Heterogeneity of astrocytic form and function.

Nancy Ann Oberheim1, Steven A Goldman, Maiken Nedergaard

  • 1Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|December 7, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Astrocytes, crucial for brain function, show increasing complexity and diverse roles across evolution. Understanding these changes is key to unraveling higher cognitive functions.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Culture of Mouse Cortical Astrocytes
11:25

Isolation and Culture of Mouse Cortical Astrocytes

Published on: January 19, 2013

Visualizing Astrocyte Morphology Using Lucifer Yellow Iontophoresis
07:38

Visualizing Astrocyte Morphology Using Lucifer Yellow Iontophoresis

Published on: September 14, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 26, 2026

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

Isolation and Culture of Mouse Cortical Astrocytes
11:25

Isolation and Culture of Mouse Cortical Astrocytes

Published on: January 19, 2013

Visualizing Astrocyte Morphology Using Lucifer Yellow Iontophoresis
07:38

Visualizing Astrocyte Morphology Using Lucifer Yellow Iontophoresis

Published on: September 14, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Astrocytes are vital glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • They regulate essential functions like blood flow, metabolism, and neurotransmission.
  • Astrocytic structure and function vary across brain regions and evolve over time.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diversity of astrocyte form and function.
  • To examine the expanded roles of astrocytes throughout phylogenetic evolution.
  • To identify future challenges in astrocyte research.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of astrocyte morphology and function across species.
  • Review of current literature on astrocytic evolution and cognition.
  • Identification of key research questions and challenges.

Main Results:

  • Astrocytic complexity and size increase with evolution.
  • Human astrocytes exhibit greater structural complexity and faster calcium signaling than rodent astrocytes.
  • Astrocytic functions are diverse and region-specific, with expanded roles in higher organisms.

Conclusions:

  • Astrocytic diversity is shaped by evolutionary pressures.
  • Understanding astrocytic evolution is crucial for comprehending higher cognitive functions.
  • Future research should focus on local specification, molecular controls, and evolutionary contributions to cognition.