Astrocytic Regulation of Synapses, Neuronal Networks, and Behavior

The central nervous system is composed of two main classes of cells: neurons and glia. This chapter focuses on the astrocyte, a subtype of glial cell, and on its role in the regulation of neuronal activity and brain function. We will review recent evidence demonstrating that astrocytes release different chemical transmitters, a process that is called gliotransmission, and modulate the activity of neighboring neurons. We will discuss the importance of this astrocyte-to-neuron signaling to the regulation of synaptic function, network activity and behavior.