NeuroGLIA Consortium: neuron-astroglia in brain function and dysfunction

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Interviews and press coverage

Article in Le Scienze, "Anche gli astrociti sono coinvolti nell'epilessia" (15/05/2010) • www

NeuroGLIA in the European Commission's CORDIS News (14/04/2010) • www

Interview with Giorgio Carmignoto in La stampa, "Quanta materia oscura nel cervello" (7/04/2010) • • www

Interview for Neurologie, "Biologie van epilepsie uitgeplozen" (1:4-7, 2009)

Interview for AMC magazine, "Met hersen cellen Europa in: overprikkeld door onstekingsreacties" (2: 14-15, 2/2009) • www

Interview for uni-bonn TV,
"Glia-Zellen kommunizieren" (26/11/2008)

Article in Bild der Wissenschaft, "Neue Stars am Hirnforscherhimmel" (9/2008: 20-26) • • www

Short introduction of the "Neurogliaproject" in Epilepsie, a periodic for professionals (4:4, 2008)

Main Publications

The NeuroGLIA consortium has produced the following publications acknowledging the European Community's FP7 support:

  1. Araque A, Navarrete M (2011) Development. Electrically driven insulation in the central nervous system. Science 333:1587-8.[PubMed]
  2. Aronica E, Crino PB (2011) Inflammation in epilepsy: clinical observations. Epilepsia 52 Suppl 3:26-32.[PubMed]
  3. Aronica E, Zurolo E, Iyer A, de Groot M, Anink J, Carbonell C, van Vliet EA, Baayen JC, Boison D, Gorter JA (2011) Upregulation of adenosine kinase in astrocytes in experimental and human temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia 52:1645-55.[PubMed]
  4. Gosejacob D, Dublin P, Bedner P, Hüttmann K, Zhang J, Tress O, Willecke K, Pfrieger F, Steinhäuser C, Theis M (2011) Role of astroglial connexin30 in hippocampal gap junction coupling. Glia 59:511-9.[PubMed]
  5. Haberlandt C, Derouiche A, Wyczynski A, Haseleu J, Pohle J, Karram K, Trotter J, Seifert G, Frotscher M, Steinhäuser C, Jabs R (2011) Gray matter NG2 cells display multiple Ca2+-signaling pathways and highly motile processes. PLoS ONE 6:e17575.[PubMed]
  6. Masino SA, Li T, Theofilas P, Sandau US, Ruskin DN, Fredholm BB, Geiger JD, Aronica E, Boison D (2011) A ketogenic diet suppresses seizures in mice through adenosine A? receptors. J. Clin. Invest. 121:2679-83.[PubMed]
  7. Navarrete M, Araque A (2011) Basal synaptic transmission: astrocytes rule! Cell 146:675-7.[PubMed]
  8. Porto-Pazos AB, Veiguela N, Mesejo P, Navarrete M, Alvarellos A, Ibáñez O, Pazos A, Araque A (2011) Artificial astrocytes improve neural network performance. PLoS ONE 6:e19109.[PubMed]
  9. Strohschein S, Hüttmann K, Gabriel S, Binder DK, Heinemann U, Steinhäuser C (2011) Impact of aquaporin-4 channels on K+ buffering and gap junction coupling in the hippocampus. Glia 59:973-80.[PubMed]
  10. van Vliet EA, Holtman L, Aronica E, Schmitz LJ, Wadman WJ, Gorter JA (2011) Atorvastatin treatment during epileptogenesis in a rat model for temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia 52:1319-30.[PubMed]
  11. Aronica E, Fluiter K, Iyer A, Zurolo E, Vreijling J, van Vliet EA, Baayen JC, Gorter JA (2010) Expression pattern of miR-146a, an inflammation-associated microRNA, in experimental and human temporal lobe epilepsy. Eur. J. Neurosci. 31:1100-7.[PubMed]
  12. Bardoni R, Ghirri A, Zonta M, Betelli C, Vitale G, Ruggieri V, Sandrini M, Carmignoto G (2010) Glutamate-mediated astrocyte-to-neuron signalling in the rat dorsal horn. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 588:831-46.[PubMed]
  13. Bergles DE, Jabs R, Steinhäuser C (2010) Neuron-glia synapses in the brain. Brain Res Rev 63:130-7.[PubMed]
  14. Boer K, Crino PB, Gorter JA, Nellist M, Jansen FE, Spliet WG, van Rijen PC, Wittink FR, Breit TM, Troost D, Wadman WJ, Aronica E (2010) Gene expression analysis of tuberous sclerosis complex cortical tubers reveals increased expression of adhesion and inflammatory factors. Brain Pathol. 20:704-19.[PubMed]
  15. Boer K, Middeldorp J, Spliet WG, Razavi F, van Rijen PC, Baayen JC, Hol EM, Aronica E (2010) Immunohistochemical characterization of the out-of frame splice variants GFAP Delta164/Deltaexon 6 in focal lesions associated with chronic epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 90:99-109.[PubMed]
  16. Boer K, Spliet WG, van Rijen PC, Jansen FE, Aronica E (2010) Expression patterns of AMOG in developing human cortex and malformations of cortical development. Epilepsy Res. 91:84-93.[PubMed]
  17. Carmignoto G, Gómez-Gonzalo M. (2010) The contribution of astrocyte signalling to neurovascular coupling Brain Res Rev. 63:138-48.[PubMed]
  18. Dibaj P, Nadrigny F, Steffens H, Scheller A, Hirrlinger J, Schomburg ED, Neusch C, Kirchhoff F (2010) NO mediates microglial response to acute spinal cord injury under ATP control in vivo. Glia 58:1133-44.[PubMed]
  19. Giaume C, Theis M (2010) Pharmacological and genetic approaches to study connexin-mediated channels in glial cells of the central nervous system. Brain Res Rev 63:160-76.[PubMed]
  20. Gómez-Gonzalo M, Losi G, Chiavegato A, Zonta M, Cammarota M, Brondi M, Vetri F, Uva L, Pozzan T, de Curtis M, Ratto GM, Carmignoto G. (2010) An excitatory loop with astrocytes contributes to drive neurons to seizure threshold PLoS Biol. 8:e1000352.[PubMed]
  21. Gorter JA, Zurolo E, Iyer A, Fluiter K, van Vliet EA, Baayen JC, Aronica E (2010) Induction of sodium channel Na(x) (SCN7A) expression in rat and human hippocampus in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia 51:1791-800.[PubMed]
  22. Holtman L, van Vliet EA, Edelbroek PM, Aronica E, Gorter JA (2010) Cox-2 inhibition can lead to adverse effects in a rat model for temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 91:49-56.[PubMed]
  23. Iyer A, Zurolo E, Spliet WG, van Rijen PC, Baayen JC, Gorter JA, Aronica E (2010) Evaluation of the innate and adaptive immunity in type I and type II focal cortical dysplasias. Epilepsia 51:1763-73.[PubMed]
  24. Iyer AM, Zurolo E, Boer K, Baayen JC, Giangaspero F, Arcella A, Di Gennaro GC, Esposito V, Spliet WG, van Rijen PC, Troost D, Gorter JA, Aronica E (2010) Tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase plasminogen activator in human epileptogenic pathologies. Neuroscience 167:929-45.[PubMed]
  25. Losi G, Cammarota M, Chiavegato A, Gomez-Gonzalo M, Carmignoto G. (2010) A new experimental model of focal seizures in the entorhinal cortex Epilepsia 51 :1493-502.[PubMed]
  26. Maroso M, Balosso S, Ravizza T, Liu J, Aronica E, Iyer AM, Rossetti C, Molteni M, Casalgrandi M, Manfredi AA, Bianchi ME, Vezzani A (2010) Toll-like receptor 4 and high-mobility group box-1 are involved in ictogenesis and can be targeted to reduce seizures. Nat. Med. 16:413-9.[PubMed]
  27. Middeldorp J, Boer K, Sluijs JA, De Filippis L, Encha-Razavi F, Vescovi AL, Swaab DF, Aronica E, Hol EM (2010) GFAPdelta in radial glia and subventricular zone progenitors in the developing human cortex. Development 137:313-21.[PubMed]
  28. Navarrete M, Araque A (2010) Endocannabinoids potentiate synaptic transmission through stimulation of astrocytes. Neuron 68:113-26.[PubMed]
  29. Pannicke T, Wurm A, Iandiev I, Hollborn M, Linnertz R, Binder DK, Kohen L, Wiedemann P, Steinhäuser C, Reichenbach A, Bringmann A (2010) Deletion of aquaporin-4 renders retinal glial cells more susceptible to osmotic stress. J. Neurosci. Res. 88:2877-88.[PubMed]
  30. Parri HR, Gould TM, Crunelli V (2010) Sensory and cortical activation of distinct glial cell subtypes in the somatosensory thalamus of young rats. Eur. J. Neurosci. 32:29-40.[PubMed]
  31. Perea G, Araque A (2010) GLIA modulates synaptic transmission. Brain Res Rev 63:93-102.[PubMed]
  32. Reichenbach A, Derouiche A, Kirchhoff F (2010) Morphology and dynamics of perisynaptic glia. Brain Res Rev 63:11-25.[PubMed]
  33. Seifert G, Carmignoto G, Steinhäuser C. (2010) Astrocyte dysfunction in epilepsy Brain Res Rev. 63:212-21.[PubMed]
  34. van Vliet EA, Zibell G, Pekcec A, Schlichtiger J, Edelbroek PM, Holtman L, Aronica E, Gorter JA, Potschka H (2010) COX-2 inhibition controls P-glycoprotein expression and promotes brain delivery of phenytoin in chronic epileptic rats. Neuropharmacology 58:404-12.[PubMed]
  35. Zurolo E, Iyer AM, Spliet WG, Van Rijen PC, Troost D, Gorter JA, Aronica E (2010) CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor expression during development and in epileptogenic developmental pathologies. Neuroscience 170:28-41.[PubMed]
  36. Aronica E, Boer K, Doorn KJ, Zurolo E, Spliet WG, van Rijen PC, Baayen JC, Gorter JA, Jeromin A (2009) Expression and localization of voltage dependent potassium channel Kv4.2 in epilepsy associated focal lesions. Neurobiol. Dis. 36:81-95.[PubMed]
  37. Cope DW, Di Giovanni G, Fyson SJ, Orbán G, Errington AC, Lorincz ML, Gould TM, Carter DA, Crunelli V (2009) Enhanced tonic GABAA inhibition in typical absence epilepsy. Nat. Med. 15:1392-8.[PubMed]
  38. Holtman L, van Vliet EA, van Schaik R, Queiroz CM, Aronica E, Gorter JA (2009) Effects of SC58236, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, on epileptogenesis and spontaneous seizures in a rat model for temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 84:56-66.[PubMed]
  39. Kunze A, Congreso MR, Hartmann C, Wallraff-Beck A, Hüttmann K, Bedner P, Requardt R, Seifert G, Redecker C, Willecke K, Hofmann A, Pfeifer A, Theis M, Steinhäuser C (2009) Connexin expression by radial glia-like cells is required for neurogenesis in the adult dentate gyrus. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 106:11336-41.[PubMed]
  40. Martinian L, Boer K, Middeldorp J, Hol EM, Sisodiya SM, Squier W, Aronica E, Thom M (2009) Expression patterns of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-delta in epilepsy-associated lesional pathologies. Neuropathol. Appl. Neurobiol. 35:394-405.[PubMed]
  41. Middeldorp J, van den Berge SA, Aronica E, Speijer D, Hol EM (2009) Specific human astrocyte subtype revealed by affinity purified GFAP antibody; unpurified serum cross-reacts with neurofilament-L in Alzheimer. PLoS ONE 4:e7663.[PubMed]
  42. Mittelsteadt T, Seifert G, Alvárez-Barón E, Steinhäuser C, Becker AJ, Schoch S (2009) Differential mRNA expression patterns of the synaptotagmin gene family in the rodent brain. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:514-28.[PubMed]
  43. Perea G, Navarrete M, Araque A (2009) Tripartite synapses: astrocytes process and control synaptic information. Trends Neurosci. 32:421-31.[PubMed]
  44. Requardt RP, Kaczmarczyk L, Dublin P, Wallraff-Beck A, Mikeska T, Degen J, Waha A, Steinhäuser C, Willecke K, Theis M (2009) Quality control of astrocyte-directed Cre transgenic mice: the benefits of a direct link between loss of gene expression and reporter activation. Glia 57:680-92.[PubMed]
  45. Seifert G, Hüttmann K, Binder DK, Hartmann C, Wyczynski A, Neusch C, Steinhäuser C (2009) Analysis of astroglial K+ channel expression in the developing hippocampus reveals a predominant role of the Kir4.1 subunit. J. Neurosci. 29:7474-7488.[PubMed]
  46. Theofilas P, Bedner P, Hüttmann K, Theis M, Steinhäuser C, Frank S (2009) The proapoptotic BCL-2 homology domain 3-only protein Bim is not critical for acute excitotoxic cell death. J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol. 68:102-10.[PubMed]
  47. Araque A (2008) Astrocytes process synaptic information. Neuron Glia Biol. 4:3-10.[PubMed]
  48. Boer K, Troost D, Spliet WG, van Rijen PC, Gorter JA, Aronica E (2008) Cellular distribution of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and B (VEGFB) and VEGF receptors 1 and 2 in focal cortical dysplasia type IIB. Acta Neuropathol. 115:683-96.[PubMed]
  49. Navarrete M, Araque A (2008) Endocannabinoids mediate neuron-astrocyte communication. Neuron 57:883-93.[PubMed]

 

Additional Publications

During the existence of the consortium, the various members of NeuroGLIA have also produced the following publications:

  1. Cina C, Maass K, Theis M, Willecke K, Bechberger JF, Naus CC (2009) Involvement of the cytoplasmic C-terminal domain of connexin43 in neuronal migration. J. Neurosci. 29:2009-21.[PubMed]
  2. Qu M, Aronica E, Boer K, Fällmar D, Kumlien E, Nistér M, Wester K, Pontén F, Smits A (2009) DLG3/SAP102 protein expression in malformations of cortical development: a study of human epileptic cortex by tissue microarray. Epilepsy Res. 84:33-41.[PubMed]
  3. Sonntag S, Söhl G, Dobrowolski R, Zhang J, Theis M, Winterhager E, Bukauskas FF, Willecke K (2009) Mouse lens connexin23 (Gje1) does not form functional gap junction channels but causes enhanced ATP release from HeLa cells. Eur. J. Cell Biol. 88:65-77.[PubMed]
  4. van Vliet EA, Aronica E, Redeker S, Boer K, Gorter JA (2009) Decreased expression of synaptic vesicle protein 2A, the binding site for levetiracetam, during epileptogenesis and chronic epilepsy. Epilepsia 50:422-33.[PubMed]
  5. Aronica E, Boer K, Becker A, Redeker S, Spliet WG, van Rijen PC, Wittink F, Breit T, Wadman WJ, Lopes da Silva FH, Troost D, Gorter JA (2008) Gene expression profile analysis of epilepsy-associated gangliogliomas. Neuroscience 151:272-92.[PubMed]
  6. Boer K, Jansen F, Nellist M, Redeker S, van den Ouweland AM, Spliet WG, van Nieuwenhuizen O, Troost D, Crino PB, Aronica E (2008) Inflammatory processes in cortical tubers and subependymal giant cell tumors of tuberous sclerosis complex. Epilepsy Res. 78:7-21.[PubMed]
  7. Boer K, Troost D, Jansen F, Nellist M, van den Ouweland AM, Geurts JJ, Spliet WG, Crino P, Aronica E (2008) Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical findings in an autopsy case of tuberous sclerosis complex. Neuropathology 28:577-90.[PubMed]
  8. Boer K, Troost D, Timmermans W, Gorter JA, Spliet WG, Nellist M, Jansen F, Aronica E (2008) Cellular localization of metabotropic glutamate receptors in cortical tubers and subependymal giant cell tumors of tuberous sclerosis complex. Neuroscience 156:203-15.[PubMed]
  9. Brandis A, Aronica E, Goebel HH (2008) TPM2 mutation. Neuromuscul. Disord. 18:1005.[PubMed]
  10. Budde BS, Namavar Y, Barth PG, Poll-The BT, Nürnberg G, Becker C, van Ruissen F, Weterman MA, Fluiter K, te Beek ET, Aronica E, van der Knaap MS, Höhne W, Toliat MR, Crow YJ, Steinling M, Voit T, Roelenso F, Brussel W, Brockmann K, Kyllerman M, Boltshauser E, Hammersen G, Willemsen M, Basel-Vanagaite L, Krägeloh-Mann I, de Vries LS, Sztriha L, Muntoni F, Ferrie CD, Battini R, Hennekam RC, Grillo E, Beemer FA, Stoets LM, Wollnik B, Nürnberg P, Baas F (2008) tRNA splicing endonuclease mutations cause pontocerebellar hypoplasia. Nat. Genet. 40:1113-8.[PubMed]
  11. Caraci F, Busceti C, Biagioni F, Aronica E, Mastroiacovo F, Cappuccio I, Battaglia G, Bruno V, Caricasole A, Copani A, Nicoletti F (2008) The Wnt antagonist, Dickkopf-1, as a target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Neurochem. Res. 33:2401-6.[PubMed]
  12. Cebolla B, Fernández-Pérez A, Perea G, Araque A, Vallejo M (2008) DREAM mediates cAMP-dependent, Ca2+-induced stimulation of GFAP gene expression and regulates cortical astrogliogenesis. J. Neurosci. 28:6703-13.[PubMed]
  13. D'Antoni S, Berretta A, Bonaccorso CM, Bruno V, Aronica E, Nicoletti F, Catania MV (2008) Metabotropic glutamate receptors in glial cells. Neurochem. Res. 33:2436-43.[PubMed]
  14. Fazio F, Notartomaso S, Aronica E, Storto M, Battaglia G, Vieira E, Gatti S, Bruno V, Biagioni F, Gradini R, Nicoletti F, Di Marco R (2008) Switch in the expression of mGlu1 and mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors in the cerebellum of mice developing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and in autoptic cerebellar samples from patients with multiple sclerosis. Neuropharmacology 55:491-9.[PubMed]
  15. Grumelli C, Berghuis P, Pozzi D, Caleo M, Antonucci F, Bonanno G, Carmignoto G, Dobszay MB, Harkany T, Matteoli M, Verderio C (2008) Calpain activity contributes to the control of SNAP-25 levels in neurons. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 39:314-23.[PubMed]
  16. Husseini L, Schmandt T, Scheffler B, Schröder W, Seifert G, Brüstle O, Steinhäuser C (2008) Functional analysis of embryonic stem cell-derived glial cells after integration into hippocampal slice cultures. Stem Cells Dev. 17:1141-52.[PubMed]
  17. Jabs R, Seifert G, Steinhäuser C (2008) Astrocytic function and its alteration in the epileptic brain. Epilepsia 49 Suppl 2:3-12.[PubMed]
  18. Karram K, Goebbels S, Schwab M, Jennissen K, Seifert G, Steinhäuser C, Nave KA, Trotter J (2008) NG2-expressing cells in the nervous system revealed by the NG2-EYFP-knockin mouse. Genesis 46:743-57.[PubMed]
  19. Merighi A, Bardoni R, Salio C, Lossi L, Ferrini F, Prandini M, Zonta M, Gustincich S, Carmignoto G (2008) Presynaptic functional trkB receptors mediate the release of excitatory neurotransmitters from primary afferent terminals in lamina II (substantia gelatinosa) of postnatal rat spinal cord. Dev Neurobiol 68:457-75.[PubMed]
  20. Ravizza T, Gagliardi B, Noé F, Boer K, Aronica E, Vezzani A (2008) Innate and adaptive immunity during epileptogenesis and spontaneous seizures: evidence from experimental models and human temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurobiol. Dis. 29:142-60.[PubMed]
  21. Stroes ES, Nierman MC, Meulenberg JJ, Franssen R, Twisk J, Henny CP, Maas MM, Zwinderman AH, Ross C, Aronica E, High KA, Levi MM, Hayden MR, Kastelein JJ, Kuivenhoven JA (2008) Intramuscular administration of AAV1-lipoprotein lipase S447X lowers triglycerides in lipoprotein lipase-deficient patients. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 28:2303-4.[PubMed]
  22. Tanaka M, Yamaguchi K, Tatsukawa T, Nishioka C, Nishiyama H, Theis M, Willecke K, Itohara S (2008) Lack of Connexin43-Mediated Bergmann Glial Gap Junctional Coupling does not Affect Cerebellar Long-Term Depression, Motor Coordination, or Eyeblink Conditioning. 2:1.[PubMed]
  23. Tanaka M, Yamaguchi K, Tatsukawa T, Theis M, Willecke K, Itohara S (2008) Connexin43 and bergmann glial gap junctions in cerebellar function. 2:225-33.[PubMed]
  24. van der Kooi AJ, van Langen IM, Aronica E, van Doorn PA, Wokke JH, Brusse E, Langerhorst CT, Bergin P, Dekker LR, dit Deprez RH, de Visser M (2008) Extension of the clinical spectrum of Danon disease. Neurology 70:1358-9.[PubMed]
  25. van Heteren JT, Rozenberg F, Aronica E, Troost D, Lebon P, Kuijpers TW (2008) Astrocytes produce interferon-alpha and CXCL10, but not IL-6 or CXCL8, in Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Glia 56:568-78.[PubMed]
  26. Vezzani A, Ravizza T, Balosso S, Aronica E (2008) Glia as a source of cytokines: implications for neuronal excitability and survival. Epilepsia 49 Suppl 2:24-32.[PubMed]
  27. Wellershaus K, Degen J, Deuchars J, Theis M, Charollais A, Caille D, Gauthier B, Janssen-Bienhold U, Sonntag S, Herrera P, Meda P, Willecke K (2008) A new conditional mouse mutant reveals specific expression and functions of connexin36 in neurons and pancreatic beta-cells. Exp. Cell Res. 314:997-1012.[PubMed]

PAST events

Consortium meetings

4th NeuroGLIA Scientific meeting
24-25 February 2011, Amsterdam, Netherlands

3rd NeuroGLIA Scientific meeting
18-20 October 2010, Amsterdam, Netherlands

NeuroGLIA Review meeting
12-13 October 2009, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
See the EC Review report for more information.

2nd NeuroGLIA Scientific meeting
8-9 February 2009, Madrid, Spain

1st NeuroGLIA Scientific meeting
20-21 April 2008, Padua, Italy

Official NeuroGLIA kickoff meeting
25 January 2008, Bonn, Germany
Download the brochure.

Symposia

The NeuroGLIA Consortium organised a meeting at Cardiff University, UK (4-5 November 2011). The symposium was entitled
Astroglia-Neuron Signalling and Neuronal Network Dynamics in Seizures and Epilepsy; the local organiser was NeuroGLIA member Vincenzo Crunelli. The programme comprised reports of our NeuroGLIA PIs and, in addition, there were also a number of guest speakers.
See Cardiff University's website for additional information, including a detailed programme.

The NeuroGLIA Consortium organised a Satellite Symposium at the 2010 FENS Forum. The symposium was entitled
Neuron-astrocyte signaling in the epileptic brain
and was chaired by Eleonora Aronica and Christian Steinhäuser.
3-7 July 2010, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
FREE ADMISSION
See this document PDF file for more information.

The NeuroGLIA Consortium organised a symposium at the American Society for Neurochemistry meeting. The symposium was entitled
Neuron-astroglia interactions in brain function and dysfunction
and was chaired by Giorgio Carmignoto and Christian Steinhäuser.
6-10 March 2010, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
See the ASN website for more information.

Courses & Workshops

International Astrocyte School (IAS 2011)

School Executive Board:
Alfonso Araque (Madrid, Spain)
Giorgio Carmignoto (Padua, Italy)
Richard Robitaille (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

27 March - 3 April 2011, Bertinoro, Italy

Additional information is available at the school's website.

FENS School on Neuron-Glia Interactions

Scientific Coordinators:
Dionysia T. Theodosis (Bordeaux, France) and
Christian Steinhäuser (Bonn, Germany)

19-24 October 2007, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Additional information is available at the school's website.

Nerve cells of the brain signal to each other by special contact sites, the so-called synapses. It is the activity of this complex neuronal network in our brains which makes us think, decide, learn and remember. If this activity gets out of balance and becomes too strong, it may ultimately cause seizures and lead to a condition called epilepsy.

For a long time, neurons were thought to exclusively do the job of information processing, even though the majority of cells found in the brain are not neurons, but so-called glial cells. Indeed, recent work on neuroglial cell physiology showed these cells are much more actively involved in brain information processing than previously anticipated. This finding has stimulated the novel view that the brain should no longer be regarded solely as a neuronal network, but instead as a circuit of interactive neuron and glial cell networks. In particular the so-called astroglia links neurons to the blood vessels, from which they receive their energy, and are in very close contact to neuronal synapses. In fact, they can sense neuronal activity and can even talk back to the neurons and thereby control the way neurons talk to each other via their synapses.

NeuroGLIA represents a concerted effort of leading European research groups dedicated to increase our knowledge on glial function and to unravel the role of neuron-glia interaction in the healthy and diseased brain. Among other findings, we have described distinct types of astroglial cells in the mouse and human brain with different properties, a role for substances released from astrocytes in the control of synaptic signalling (the so-called gliotransmitters), astrocytic control of blood flow and functional changes of astrocytes in epilepsy. Thus, a clear involvement of astroglial cells not only in normal functioning of the brain but also in neurological disorders is now gradually emerging.

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