Astrocytes in the medial entorhinal cortex are required for spatial exploration
Summary: Exploring the environment is essential for survival and has traditionally been attributed primarily to neuronal functions. However, the role of astrocytes in regulating exploratory behaviors remains poorly understood. Using fiber photometry and genetically encoded calcium indicators specifi...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Cell Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124725009441 |
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| Summary: | Summary: Exploring the environment is essential for survival and has traditionally been attributed primarily to neuronal functions. However, the role of astrocytes in regulating exploratory behaviors remains poorly understood. Using fiber photometry and genetically encoded calcium indicators specifically targeted to astrocytes, we show that spatial exploration activates astrocytes in layer II of the medial entorhinal cortex (MECII). These astrocytic activities, elicited by spatial exploration, integrate visual inputs. The Ca2+ transients in MECII astrocytes, associated with spatial exploration, facilitate both spatial exploratory behaviors and MECII neuronal functions. Our findings establish astrocytic activity as a critical cellular substrate contributing to activity plasticity in MECII neurons and spatial exploratory behaviors. This framework enhances our understanding of astrocyte signaling mechanisms as integral components of cognitive function. |
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| ISSN: | 2211-1247 |