New research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, shows that astrocytes are directly involved in the regulation of signalling between neurons. Astrocytes sense activity from the synapses and respond by reducing the release of the neurotransmitter glutamate.

Astrocytes have previously been viewed primarily as the brain’s housekeeping cells, whose roles include regulating blood flow in different parts of the brain.

“This means that astrocytes should be given more attention in future when looking for causes of diseases that affect signalling between neurons, such as epilepsy,” said My Andersson, a researcher at the University of Gothenburg.