Nerve impulses increase glial intercellular permeability

✍ Scribed by Hector Marrero; Richard K. Orkand

• Book ID: 101262700
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 477 KB
• Volume: 16
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0894-1491
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-1136(199603)16:3<285::aid-glia11>3.0.co;2-w

✦ Synopsis

Coordinating the activity of neurons and their satellite glial cells requires mechanisms by which glial cells detect neuronal activity and change their properties as a result. This study monitors the intercellular diffusion of the fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow (LY), following its injection into glial cells of the frog optic neve, and demonstrates that nerve impulses increase the permeability of interglial gap junctions. Consequently, the spatial buffer capacity of the neuroglial cell syncytium for potassium, other ions, and small molecules will be enhanced; this may facilitate glial function in maintaining homeostasis of the neuronal microenvironment. 0 1996 WiIey-Liss, [nc.