Scientists have long known that that's a job for astrocytes – sopping up excess potassium, ending the nerve pulse, and restoring the cells so they can fire again immediately.

Once considered mainly 'brain glue,' astrocytes' power revealed Date: March 29, 2012 Source: University of Rochester Medical Center Summary: A type of cell plentiful in the brain, long considered ...

Apart from absorbing excess potassium, astrocytes themselves could cause potassium levels around the neuron to drop, halting neuronal signaling. This research showed, ...

In both models, astrocytes with the mutant gene showed a measurable drop in Kir4.1, a protein that allows the astrocyte to take in potassium through the cell membrane.

She was not involved in the work, but had previously reported that astrocytes lose potassium channels in Alzheimer’s disease (see Feb 2009 news story). Intriguingly, faulty potassium channels underlie ...

The astrocytes' response to neuronal signals can also change; they can modulate how they respond to neurotransmitters such as dopamine and glutamate. “Astrocytes are really big, and a single cell can ...

This framework might help to understand how the brain reaches its amazing memory capacity. According to conventional models, memory depends just on neuron to neuron connections; astrocytes might ...

Astrocyte cells–not just neurons–could be key in processing memories. Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Search for: ...

Astrocytes, otherwise known as star cells due to their shape, play various roles in the brain, and many are focused on the health and activity of their neighboring neurons.

In both models, astrocytes with the mutant gene showed a measurable drop in Kir4.1, a protein that allows the astrocyte to take in potassium through the cell membrane.