Premium
Astrocytic signaling supports hippocampal–prefrontal theta synchronization and cognitive function
Author(s) -
Sardinha Vanessa Morais,
GuerraGomes Sónia,
Caetano Inês,
Tavares Gabriela,
Martins Manuella,
Reis Joana Santos,
Correia Joana Sofia,
TeixeiraCastro Andreia,
Pinto Luísa,
Sousa Nuno,
Oliveira João Filipe
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.23205
Subject(s) - neuroscience , hippocampal formation , prefrontal cortex , hippocampus , cognition , biology , astrocyte , synchronization (alternating current) , long term potentiation , biological neural network , nerve net , psychology , central nervous system , receptor , computer science , computer network , channel (broadcasting) , biochemistry
Astrocytes interact with neurons at the cellular level through modulation of synaptic formation, maturation, and function, but the impact of such interaction into behavior remains unclear. Here, we studied the dominant negative SNARE (dnSNARE) mouse model to dissect the role of astrocyte‐derived signaling in corticolimbic circuits, with implications for cognitive processing. We found that the blockade of gliotransmitter release in astrocytes triggers a critical desynchronization of neural theta oscillations between dorsal hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Moreover, we found a strong cognitive impairment in tasks depending on this network. Importantly, the supplementation with d ‐serine completely restores hippocampal–prefrontal theta synchronization and rescues the spatial memory and long‐term memory of dnSNARE mice. We provide here novel evidence of long distance network modulation by astrocytes, with direct implications to cognitive function.