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Home
Perisynaptic Astrocytic Processes As Communication Hubs And Early Sites Of Dysfunction.

Home
Perisynaptic Astrocytic Processes As Communication Hubs And Early Sites Of Dysfunction.

Related Experiment Video

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Published on: October 4, 2018

Perisynaptic Astrocytic Processes as Communication Hubs and Early Sites of Dysfunction.

Francesca Puletti¹, Isabella Tugulu¹, Soyon Hong¹

¹UK Dementia Research Institute, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.

The Neuroscientist : a Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry

|May 25, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Perisynaptic astrocytic processes (PAPs) are crucial for astrocyte-synapse communication, regulating the local synaptic environment. Understanding PAPs is key to deciphering synaptic function and neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords:

PAPs astrocyte–microglia crosstalk clasmatodendrosis glia metabolism neuro–glia interactions pathology perisynaptic astrocytic processes synapse loss

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Published on: March 11, 2020

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Astrocyte Biology

Background:

Astrocytes significantly influence synaptic function and the surrounding microenvironment.
The specific cellular structures mediating astrocyte-synapse interactions, particularly perisynaptic astrocytic processes (PAPs), are not fully understood.
PAPs are thin astrocytic extensions that interface with synapses, with their characteristics varying across brain regions, development, and species.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and synthesize current knowledge on the structure, function, and plasticity of PAPs.
To explore how PAPs define synaptic microdomains and regulate synaptic activity.
To discuss the implications of PAP organization and dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases and circuit vulnerability.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of existing research on PAPs.
Analysis of evidence regarding PAPs' role in synaptic regulation.
Discussion of emerging techniques for in vivo PAP investigation.

Main Results:

PAPs create local microdomains around synapses, enabling astrocytes to sense neuronal activity and modulate the synaptic milieu.
PAP organization and plasticity impact neurotransmitter clearance, ion balance, and synaptic structural remodeling.
Regional variations in PAPs may underlie selective circuit vulnerabilities and contribute to synaptic dysfunction in neurodegeneration.

Conclusions:

PAPs are critical mediators of astrocyte-synapse communication, influencing synaptic homeostasis and plasticity.
Dysfunction of PAPs is implicated in neurodegenerative conditions.
Further research using advanced in vivo techniques is needed to fully elucidate PAP structure-function relationships and causal mechanisms.