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Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates
Published on: March 20, 2014
Modulation of Central Synapses by Astrocyte-Released ATP and Postsynaptic P2X Receptors
Eric Boué-Grabot1,2, Yuriy Pankratov3,4
1Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, University Bordeaux, UMR 5293, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
Abstract:
Communication between neuronal and glial cells is important for neural plasticity. P2X receptors are ATP-gated cation channels widely expressed in the brain where they mediate action of extracellular ATP released by neurons and/or glia. Recent data show that postsynaptic P2X receptors underlie slow neuromodulatory actions rather than fast synaptic transmission at brain synapses. Here, we review these findings with a particular focus on the release of ATP by astrocytes and the diversity of postsynaptic P2X-mediated modulation of synaptic strength and plasticity in the CNS.
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