Astrocyte and Neuronal Plasticity in the Somatosensory System

Figure 4

A schematic of astrocyte-neuronal signalling. The grey box represents the tripartite synapse system; astrocytes sense neurotransmitter release and respond with release of gliotransmitter at the synapse. Astrocytes also release glutamate to activate extrasynaptic NMDA receptors, which can undergo long term enhancement (LTE) with synaptic activity. Extrasynaptic release may derive from astrocytes ensheathing the synapse and possibly through recruitment of other astrocytes in a network. SICs: slow inward currents; NT: neurotransmitter; GT: gliotransmitter.