Role of astrocytes in rhythmic motor activity

Alexia Montalant, Eva M. M. Carlsen, Jean-Francois Perrier*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
14 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Rhythmic motor activities such as breathing, locomotion, tremor, or mastication are organized by groups of interconnected neurons. Most synapses in the central nervous system are in close apposition with processes belonging to astrocytes. Neurotransmitters released from neurons bind to receptors expressed by astrocytes, activating a signaling pathway that leads to an increase in calcium concentration and the release of gliotransmitters that eventually modulate synaptic transmission. It is therefore likely that the activation of astrocytes impacts motor control. Here we review recent studies demonstrating that astrocytes inhibit, modulate, or trigger motor rhythmic behaviors.

Original languageEnglish
Article number15029
JournalPhysiological Reports
Volume9
Issue number18
Number of pages8
ISSN2051-817X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • RETROTRAPEZOID NUCLEUS
  • LOCOMOTOR-ACTIVITY
  • CENTRAL PATTERN
  • SPINAL-CORD
  • ADENOSINE
  • SENSITIVITY
  • NETWORKS
  • CAFFEINE
  • NEURONS
  • CHEMORECEPTION

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