Astrocytes are a neuron’s partner in crime. They’re more than just side kicks to neuronal function, they’re key partners in neuronal transmission in mammalian central nervous systems. This particular scribble outlines the basic role astrocytes and oligodendrocytes play in pH regulation in the subcellular microenvironment around the axon, but they do so much more, without which, intelligent life could not evolve.
At it’s heart we can boil it down to simple chemical and physical processes such as providing insulation to increase the efficiency of the cable properties of the axon (cue oligodendrocytes), providing buffers to regulate local pH or modulate synaptic function so the right signal is transmitted between neurons (hello astrocytes!) or even clear up interfering debris from dead cells and neutralise brain invaders (big up microglia!).
I guess posting pictures of my white board is kinda lazy of me…. I’ll post something proper soon, once I get over this infernal cold. :)
