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ASTROCYTES

Starring role for astrocytes in memory

Nature Neuroscience volume 23, pages 1181–1182 (2020)Cite this article

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Following learning, memories for events are reorganized in a time-dependent manner in distributed hippocampal–cortical networks. While previous studies have focused on neural contributions to this process of systems consolidation, a new study by Kol et al. reveals that astrocytes play crucial modulatory roles in the formation of remote memories.

Historically, astrocytes have been relegated to the role of bit-part players in the CNS: they were long thought of as support cells for neurons, the brain’s undisputed leading lights. However, in recent decades, perceptions have changed. Nowadays, there’s broad appreciation that astrocytes can both sense and modulate neural circuit activity and therefore contribute in crucial ways to information processing in the brain1. Indeed, astrocytes appear to shape a range of cognitive processes, including memory2. A new study from Kol and colleagues in Nature Neuroscience adds to this evolving picture3, establishing that astrocytes, via selective modulation of CA1 neurons that project to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (and not other projection targets), play a critical role in the formation of remote memories.

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Fig. 1: Projection-specific modulation of remote memory by CA1 astrocytes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Paul W. Frankland & Sheena A. Josselyn

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Paul W. Frankland & Sheena A. Josselyn

  3. Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Paul W. Frankland & Sheena A. Josselyn

  4. Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Paul W. Frankland & Sheena A. Josselyn

  5. Child & Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Paul W. Frankland

  6. Brain, Mind & Consciousness Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Sheena A. Josselyn

Authors
  1. Paul W. Frankland
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  2. Sheena A. Josselyn
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Correspondence to Paul W. Frankland or Sheena A. Josselyn.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Frankland, P.W., Josselyn, S.A. Starring role for astrocytes in memory. Nat Neurosci 23, 1181–1182 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-020-0678-7

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