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Updated: Jul 11, 2025
08:48
Synaptic Microcircuit Modeling with 3D Cocultures of Astrocytes and Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: August 16, 2018
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Astrocytes: new evidence, new models, new roles
Alexey Brazhe1,2, Andrey Verisokin3, Darya Verveyko3
1Department of Biophysics, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1/24, Moscow, 119234 Russia.
Biophysical Reviews
|November 17, 2023
Summary
Astrocytes, once seen as mere support cells, are now understood as complex brain hubs. Recent research reveals their crucial roles in cognition, sleep, and waste removal, advancing our understanding of brain function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cellular Biology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Astrocytes' role has evolved from energy supply to a complex information processing hub.
- Recent advancements in techniques provide new data for understanding astrocyte contributions to brain function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent progress in astrocyte research.
- To highlight how cellular-level signaling contributes to whole-brain processes and behavior.
- To discuss the integration of new data into mathematical models.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on astrocyte signaling.
- Discussion of noradrenaline-mediated astrocytic signaling.
- Overview of experimental techniques for astrocyte modulation and visualization.
Main Results:
- Astrocytes are involved in locomotion, arousal, sensory integration, memory, and sleep.
- Astrocytes contribute to the regulation of cerebral blood flow.
- Biophysical mechanisms of astrocyte effects on brain processes are discussed.
Conclusions:
- Astrocytes play a key role in switching between sleep and wakefulness.
- Astrocytes are crucial for the removal of toxic metabolites from the brain.
- Understanding astrocytes is vital for comprehending cognitive tasks and brain health.
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