A cytokine-dependent switch for glial-neuron interactions

Neuron. 2011 Mar 10;69(5):835-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.02.033.

Abstract

Though transmitters can be released from astrocytes, the conditions that permit their modulation of synaptic transmission are under debate. Santello et al. in this issue of Neuron now show that TNFα promotes a burst mode of glial transmitter release that escapes reuptake processes allowing access to neuronal NMDA receptors.

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