Keith Murai (McGill) - Anatomical and function dissection of neuron-astrocyte interactions in the mature brain
"Anatomical and function dissection of neuron-astrocyte interactions in the mature brain"
Dr. Keith Murai
McGill University
Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery
Astrocytes are key partners for neurons in the healthy brain and contribute to the physiology and homeostasis of neural circuits. Astrocytes perform diverse functions through their elaborate structural and molecular properties. However, the prescise mechanisms that create and maintain differences among astrocytes remain poorly understood. In this presentation, results will be presented showing the remarkable anatomical and functional complexity of astrocytes in the brain using advanced electron microscopy and molecular techniques. Furthermore, results will be shown demonstrating how mature neurons in the brain signal to neighbouring astrocytes to direct their molecular and physiological features. This neuron to astrocyte communication is both necessary and sufficient for astrocyte molecular diversification including the expression of key molecules including glutamate transporters and receptors, potassium channels, and water channels. Thus, astrocytes receive important information from neurons to ensure that they are properly specialized for nearby brain circuits.