Gliotransmission and adenosinergic modulation : insights from mammalian spinal motor networks
Abstract
Astrocytes are proposed to converse with neurons at tripartite synapses, detecting neurotransmitter release and responding with release of gliotransmitters, which in turn modulate synaptic strength and neuronal excitability. However, a paucity of evidence from behavioral studies calls into question the importance of gliotransmission for the operation of the nervous system in healthy animals. Central pattern generator (CPG) networks in the spinal cord and brainstem coordinate the activation of muscles during stereotyped activities such as locomotion, inspiration and mastication, and may therefore provide tractable models in which to assess the contribution of gliotransmission to behaviorally relevant neural activity. Here, we review evidence for gliotransmission within spinal locomotor networks, including studies indicating that adenosine derived from astrocytes regulates the speed of locomotor activity via metamodulation of dopamine signaling.
Citation
Acton , D & Miles , G B 2017 , ' Gliotransmission and adenosinergic modulation : insights from mammalian spinal motor networks ' , Journal of Neurophysiology , vol. 118 , no. 6 , pp. 3311-3327 . https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00230.2017
Publication
Journal of Neurophysiology
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0022-3077Type
Journal item
Rights
© 2017, Journal of Neurophysiology. This work has been made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. This is the author created accepted version manuscript following peer review and as such may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00230.2017
Description
D Acton was supported by funds from a Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund grant. GBM received support from Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Grant BB/M021793/1.Collections
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