Topic: synaptic formation

Astrocytes interact with neurons at a cellular and molecular level, modulating the synaptic formation, maturation, and function. Their unique morphology allows them to contact synaptic structures to sense, process, and respond to incoming signals. Astrocyte activation leads to intracellular calcium-dependent processes that ultimately modulate circuit function and animal behavior. The IP3 receptor type 2 knockout (IP3R2 KO) mouse model lacks calcium elevations upon astrocytic activation and, therefore, is a good model for studying the roles of intracellular calcium signaling in circuit function