Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis
and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in …

From a structural perspective, the predominant glial cell of the central nervous system, the
astrocyte, is positioned to regulate synaptic transmission and neurovascular coupling: the …

How does neural activity drive muscles to produce behavior? The recent development of
genetic lines in Hydra that allow complete calcium imaging of both neuronal and muscle …

Intercellular calcium (Ca2+) waves (ICWs) represent the propagation of increases in
intracellular Ca2+ through a syncytium of cells and appear to be a fundamental mechanism …

Several lines of evidence indicate that the elaborated calcium signals and the occurrence of
calcium waves in astrocytes provide these cells with a specific form of excitability. The …

Observations from different brain areas have established that the adult nervous system can
undergo significant experience-related structural changes throughout life. Less familiar is …

The nervous system is made of a large number of neurons. Time-varying balance between
excitatory and inhibitory neurons is important to activate appropriate modes of electrical …

Calcium signaling results from a complex interplay between activation and inactivation of
intracellular and extracellular calcium permeable channels. This complexity is obvious from …

Connexin channels are known to be permeable to a variety of cytoplasmic molecules. The
first observation of second messenger junctional permeability, made∼ 30 years ago …

Wave-like propagation of [Ca2+] i increases is a remarkable intercellular communication
characteristic in astrocyte networks, intercalating neural circuits and vasculature …