Astrocytes

Recent articles

Research image of brain glucose levels in mice.

Food for thought: Neuronal fuel source more flexible than previously recognized

The cells primarily rely on glucose—rather than lactate from astrocytes—to generate energy, according to recent findings in mice.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
7 February 2025 | 6 min read
Colorful illustration of a latticework of proteins.

Cracking the code of the extracellular matrix

Despite evidence for a role in plasticity and other crucial functions, many neuroscientists still view these proteins as “brain goop.” The field needs technical advances and a shift in scientific thinking to move beyond this outdated perspective.

By Anna Victoria Molofsky
17 January 2025 | 5 min read
Research image of astrocytes in red activating alongside neurons in green in response to specific fear memories in mice.

Astrocytes star in memory storage, recall

The cells, long cast as support players in memory research, can activate or disrupt fear memories, according to a new study.

By Angie Voyles Askham
6 November 2024 | 5 min read
A research image showing astrocytes and neurons

‘SNAP’ dance of astrocytes and neurons falls out of step with age, disease

The findings add to growing evidence that astrocytes are star players in cognition.

By Laura Dattaro
6 March 2024 | 6 min read
Image of excitatory synapses in mouse brains.

Dispute erupts over role of sticky proteins in astrocytes

But multiple independent researchers say they are not convinced by its results, which fail to confirm high-profile findings from 2017.

By Lauren Schenkman
10 July 2023 | 9 min listen
Research image of gene-edited mouse liver cells compared to controls.

Latest ‘prime-editing’ tools tackle delivery, safety issues

The gene-editing advances make it easier to target specific tissues in mice and detect off-target effects.

By Charles Q. Choi
27 June 2023 | 5 min read
Research image of neurons and astrocytes.

Astrocytes fuel erratic firing in fragile X neurons

A shift in astrocyte secretions may explain the atypical firing patterns of neurons derived from people with fragile X syndrome.

By Lauren Schenkman
10 May 2023 | 5 min read
Autism researcher Veronica Martinez Cereno holds a brain in her lab.

Beyond the bench: At school with Verónica Martínez Cerdeño

Spectrum caught up with the University of California, Davis professor about her passion for volunteering in underserved schools, birding and fossil-hunting.

By Lauren Schenkman
1 May 2023 | 6 min read
Image of organoids modeling CDKL5 deficiency disorder.

Organoids identify potential therapies, circuit flaws for autism-linked syndromes

Brain cell clusters serve as drug screens and reveal connectivity differences for autism-linked conditions, two new models show.

By Peter Hess
21 November 2022 | 3 min read
Single astrocyte on black background.

Mouse studies cast astrocytes as stars of sensory perception

Data from two separate research teams suggest the cells are key to sensory hypersensitivity in fragile X syndrome.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
13 November 2022 | 4 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Cognitive neuroscientist Nick Turk-Browne helps an infant into an fMRI machine.

What infant fMRI is revealing about the developing mind

Cognitive neuroscientists have finally clocked how to perform task-based functional MRI experiments in awake babies—long known for their inability to lie still or take direction. Next, they aim to watch cognition take shape and settle a debate about our earliest memories—with one group publishing a big clue today.

By Calli McMurray
20 March 2025 | 12 min read
A mouse sits on a gloved hand.

Molecular changes after MECP2 loss may drive Rett syndrome traits

Knocking out the gene in adult mice triggered up- and down-regulated expression of myriad genes weeks before there were changes in neuronal function.

By Chloe Williams
20 March 2025 | 5 min read
A group of scientists discusses in a lab.

Learning scientific rigor: Q&A with Konrad Kording and Hao Ye

The developers of a new open-access curriculum to teach rigor discuss confirmation bias and other common errors in scientific thinking, plus ways to avoid these missteps.

By Calli McMurray
19 March 2025 | 6 min read