Control of synchronous activity of neurons by astrocytes and their functions

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Glial assembly: a new regulatory machinery of brain function and disorders
• Project/Area Number: 25117004
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo (2016-2017); Kyushu University (2013-2015)
• Principal Investigator: Ohki Kenichi 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 教授 (50332622)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): KONDO Satoru 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 講師 (20301757)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-06-28 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: astrocyte / neuron / interaction / activity / calcium

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We examined how astrocytes affect neuronal activity in developing mice and adult mice. In developing mice, astrocyte calcium activity enhances synchronous neuronal activity. In mice with little astrocyte activity, functional maturation of neurons in visual cortex is significantly suppressed. In adult mice, astrocyte calcium activity suppresses synchronous neuronal activity. Further, synchronous neuronal activity evokes astrocyte calcium activity and blood flow change similar to the pattern of neuronal activity.

Free Research Field

神経科学