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

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

12.2K
When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of...
12.2K
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

693
Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
693
Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells01:31

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

6.1K
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...
6.1K
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

3.5K
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
3.5K
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

6.3K
Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
6.3K
Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

78.7K
Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
78.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Distinct endocannabinoids specifically signal to astrocytes or neurons in the adult mouse hippocampus.

Nature neuroscience·2025
Same author

Protein kinase CK2α' as a dual modulator of immune signaling and synaptic dysfunction in Tauopathy.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Astrocytic Glucose Sensing Drives Synaptic Depression under Metabolic Stress.

Aging and disease·2025
Same author

Estradiol Mediates Astrocyte-Neuron Communication in the Hippocampus.

Molecular neurobiology·2025
Same author

The Duality of Astrocyte Neuromodulation: Astrocytes Sense Neuromodulators and Are Neuromodulators.

Journal of neurochemistry·2025
Same author

Astrocytes Mediate Psychostimulant-Induced Alterations of Spike-Timing Dependent Synaptic Plasticity.

Glia·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 14, 2025

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

9.2K

Astrocytes modulate sensory-evoked neuronal network activity.

Justin Lines1, Eduardo D Martin2, Paulo Kofuji1

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.

Nature Communications
|July 25, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Cortical astrocytes modulate brain activity by regulating sensory-evoked gamma oscillations. These glial cells fine-tune neuronal network dynamics, enhancing the brain

More Related Videos

Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates
12:47

Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates

Published on: March 20, 2014

14.5K
Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices
16:38

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices

Published on: November 26, 2012

27.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 14, 2025

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

9.2K
Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates
12:47

Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates

Published on: March 20, 2014

14.5K
Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices
16:38

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices

Published on: November 26, 2012

27.8K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Neurophysiology

Background:

  • Neurons are primary mediators of brain function.
  • Astrocytes, once considered only supportive, exhibit significant neuromodulatory roles.
  • Astrocytes respond to neurotransmitters via calcium signaling, releasing gliotransmitters that impact neuronal function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate in vivo astrocyte-neuronal network interactions during sensory stimulation.
  • To understand how astrocytes regulate neuronal activity, particularly gamma oscillations.
  • To determine the role of astrocytes in modulating the dynamic range of sensory responses.

Main Methods:

  • Combined two-photon microscopy to monitor astrocyte calcium dynamics.
  • Electrocorticogram (ECoG) to record neuronal network activity in the somatosensory cortex.
  • Utilized sensory stimulation paradigms in vivo.

Main Results:

  • Astrocytes exhibit stimulus-dependent responses to sensory inputs.
  • Sensory stimuli initially increase gamma-band (30-50 Hz) neuronal activity.
  • Astrocyte activity, following neuronal surge, dampens steady-state gamma activity.
  • Impaired astrocyte calcium signaling enhanced sensory-evoked gamma activity.
  • Pharmacogenetic astrocyte stimulation decreased sensory-evoked gamma activity.

Conclusions:

  • Cortical astrocytes actively respond to sensory stimuli.
  • Astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating sensory-evoked neuronal network activity.
  • Astrocyte modulation helps maximize the dynamic range of sensory processing.