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

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview01:24

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

756
Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as...
756

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Editorial: Immune functions of neuroglia.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

Aberrant Potassium Handling by Astrocytes and Epileptic Seizures: A Synthetic Update.

Acta physiologica (Oxford, England)·2026
Same author

Mitochondria transfer in neurological disorders: the key role of neuroglia.

Molecular neurodegeneration·2026
Same author

Astrocytes as Histaminergic Gatekeepers of Anxiety: A New Pathway for Emotional Control.

Journal of neurochemistry·2026
Same author

Congratulations, JNC Turns 70!

Journal of neurochemistry·2026
Same author

Author Correction: Curing the brain: in search for new astrocyte-specific therapies.

Experimental & molecular medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Monitoring Astrocyte Reactivity and Proliferation in Vitro Under Ischemic-Like Conditions
15:08

Monitoring Astrocyte Reactivity and Proliferation in Vitro Under Ischemic-Like Conditions

Published on: October 21, 2017

10.6K

Targeting astrocytes in bipolar disorder.

Liang Peng1, Baoman Li1, Alexei Verkhratsky2,3,4,5

  • 1a Laboratory of Metabolic Brain Diseases, Institute of Metabolic Disease Research and Drug Development , China Medical University , Shenyang , P. R. China.

Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
|March 26, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Bipolar disorder is linked to reduced astrocyte density, impacting brain neurotransmission. Common bipolar disorder medications influence astroglial function and gene expression, potentially correcting imbalances.

Keywords:
Astrocytesbipolar disordermechanism of drug action

More Related Videos

Imaging Intracellular Ca2+ Signals in Striatal Astrocytes from Adult Mice Using Genetically-encoded Calcium Indicators
12:19

Imaging Intracellular Ca2+ Signals in Striatal Astrocytes from Adult Mice Using Genetically-encoded Calcium Indicators

Published on: November 19, 2014

15.6K
Enrichment of Astrocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles from Human Plasma
07:34

Enrichment of Astrocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles from Human Plasma

Published on: August 3, 2022

3.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Monitoring Astrocyte Reactivity and Proliferation in Vitro Under Ischemic-Like Conditions
15:08

Monitoring Astrocyte Reactivity and Proliferation in Vitro Under Ischemic-Like Conditions

Published on: October 21, 2017

10.6K
Imaging Intracellular Ca2+ Signals in Striatal Astrocytes from Adult Mice Using Genetically-encoded Calcium Indicators
12:19

Imaging Intracellular Ca2+ Signals in Striatal Astrocytes from Adult Mice Using Genetically-encoded Calcium Indicators

Published on: November 19, 2014

15.6K
Enrichment of Astrocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles from Human Plasma
07:34

Enrichment of Astrocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles from Human Plasma

Published on: August 3, 2022

3.8K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Astrocytes are crucial homeostatic cells in the central nervous system, vital for synaptic transmission and neuronal network function.
  • Reduced astrocytic density in bipolar disorder suggests impaired astroglial function contributes to neurotransmission imbalances and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of astroglial function in bipolar disorder.
  • To explore how classical anti-bipolar drugs impact astroglial cells and their homeostatic functions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of astroglial gene expression changes in response to anti-bipolar drugs.
  • Examination of drug-induced alterations in astroglial signaling pathways, including glutamate homeostasis, K+ buffering, and Ca2+ signaling.
  • Investigation of intracellular pH changes and their effect on myo-inositol uptake and inositoltrisphosphate (InsP3) signaling.

Main Results:

  • Classical anti-bipolar drugs (lithium, valproic acid, carbamazepine) modulate astroglial gene expression and signaling cascades.
  • Drug effects on neurotransmission, K+ buffering, arachidonic acid metabolism, and Ca2+ homeostasis involve astroglial pathways.
  • Observed opposite effects of some drugs on gene expression in neurons versus astrocytes, and differing effects between antidepressant and anti-bipolar drugs.

Conclusions:

  • Deficient astroglial function may be a key factor in bipolar disorder pathophysiology.
  • Anti-bipolar drugs exert their therapeutic effects, in part, by modulating astroglial homeostatic functions and signaling pathways.
  • Understanding drug-specific effects on astrocytes is crucial for elucidating treatment mechanisms and developing novel therapies.