Astrocytes Control Behavior Through Slow Brain Signaling

Astrocytes Control Behavior Through Slow Brain Signaling

Astrocytes, once thought to be mere support cells, are now shown to play a leading role in regulating behavior by modulating neuronal activity through slow biochemical circuits. In zebrafish, researchers discovered that astrocytes respond to norepinephrine by releasing ATP, which is then broken down into adenosine—an important neuromodulator that signals neurons to stop swimming when progress is futile.