In the brain, astrocytes consolidate memory

Far from their celestial aspirations, astrocytes, star-shaped brain cells, have long remained in the depths of neuroscience. While their role was thought to be limited to supplying energy to neurons and clearing the neurotransmitters they produce, we now know that they participate in nerve communication, notably through the release of molecules called gliotransmitters.

Recent research even links this to complex cognitive behaviors. This is the case with a study by Japanese researchers, published on October 15th in the journal Nature . The scientists demonstrate that astrocytes are involved in the long-term stabilization of memory.

How? Researchers subjected mice to a fear conditioning experiment: associating a context with a low-intensity electric shock. They observed that when the fear context was recalled, specific sets of astrocytes were massively activated, much more so than during the initial learning.

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