[Gliaotransmission and brain functions].

Abstract

Glial cells receive neurotransmitters, respond to them, and then release so-called gliotransmitters such as ATP, glutamate or D-serine. Astrocytes in particular have received much attention because synaptic structures are surrounded by astrocytic fine processes, by which astrocytes communicate with neurons via gliotransmitters. Here, we introduce recent progress concerning glia-neuron interaction, especially focusing on the major gliotransmitter ATP and astrocytes in parallel with the latest progress in glia-imaging techniques.