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State‐dependent changes in astrocyte regulation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptor signalling in neurosecretory neurons
Author(s) -
Fleming Tiffany M.,
Scott Victoria,
Naskar Krishna,
Joe Natalie,
Brown Colin H.,
Stern Javier E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.207340
Subject(s) - astrocyte , signalling , nmda receptor , neuroscience , receptor , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , central nervous system , biochemistry
Non‐technical summary Glutamate is a critical excitatory neurotransmitter in the modulation of hypothalamic neuronal activity and neurosecretion from the posterior pituitary. Still, the precise mechanisms and modalities by which it acts remain to be fully elucidated. We show that in addition to mediating conventional fast synaptic transmission, glutamate persistently activates extrasynaptic NMDA receptors, providing a tonic excitatory drive to hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons. We also show that this tonic excitatory modality is influenced by the neighbouring astrocytes, and is enhanced in dehydrated rats. Knowledge on alternative modalities by which glutamate influences hypothalamic neuronal function increases our understanding of general brain mechanisms regulating neurosecretion and bodily homeostasis.