Astrocytes improve decision-making


Recent data from Dr. Perea’s group suggested that, apart from the role of astrocytes in the maintenance of synaptic transmission, these cells can sense and respond to synaptically released inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Yet, astrocyte-neuron communication in brain circuits and its behavioral outcome remained unknown. This study aimed at investigating whether astrocytes actively participate in information processing governing behavioral actions and focused on the functional consequences of GABAergic-astrocyte signaling.