The brain's glial cells — once thought merely to support neurons — are increasingly regarded as having an active role in neuronal communication. Now researchers show that receptors on a specific group of glial cells are required for the coordination of fine movements in mice.

Frank Kirchhoff at the University of Saarland in Homburg, Germany, Chris De Zeeuw at Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam in the Netherlands and their colleagues deleted a type of neurotransmitter receptor called AMPA from Bergmann glial cells in mice. As a result, the appendages of these cells shrank back from certain synapses — the connections between neurons — and synapse formation was delayed. Three months after the AMPA-receptor deletion, the mice stumbled and took more missteps in a motor performance test than did control animals, and also showed deficits in motor learning.

AMPA receptors on Bergmann glial cells help to fine-tune neuronal activity, the researchers suggest.

Science http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1221140 (2012)