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ASTROCYTES DRIVE SOCIAL BEHAVIOR THROUGH MGLUR5 SIGNALING
José Duarte Diasand 7 co-authors
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho
FENS Forum 2026 (2026)
Barcelona, Spain
Board PS06-09PM-221
Presentation
Date TBA
Board: PS06-09PM-221
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Poster Board
PS06-09PM-221
Poster
View posterAbstract
Astrocytes were long considered supportive cells in the central nervous system. However, evidence indicates a pivotal role for these cells in brain function, including modulation of synaptic transmission. Astrocytes express neurotransmitter receptors at the cell membrane, whose activation can cause somatic calcium elevations and, consequently, release signaling molecules into the synaptic cleft. The impact of astrocytic signaling on neuronal circuits and behavior remains poorly understood. Social behavior results from complex interactions among brain regions. It is promoted by a variety of sensory cues, modulated by internal social states such as motivation, emotion, reward, and memory, and, lastly, affected by decision-making integration. Cortico-limbic regions of the brain integrate cognition and emotion and are crucial for behavioral output, particularly social behaviors. In regions where glutamate is the primary fast excitatory neurotransmitter, astrocytes express glutamate receptors, including metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5). In this work, we generated a mouse line lacking the mGluR5 in astrocytes and tested social behavior in these mice in an optimized three-chamber sociability and social novelty test. This work provided further insight into astrocyte involvement in different forms of behavior.
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