Control of complex behavior by astrocytes and microglia. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ortinski, PI; Reissner, KJ; Turner, J.; Anderson, T.A.; Scimemi, A.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 137(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104651
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Abstract: Evidence that glial cells influence behavior has been gaining a steady foothold in scientific literature. Out of the five main subtypes of glial cells in the brain, astrocytes and microglia have received an outsized share of attention with regard to shaping a wide spectrum of behavioral phenomena and there is growing appreciation that the signals intrinsic to these cells as well as their interactions with surrounding neurons reflect behavioral history in a brain region-specific manner. Considerable regional diversity of glial cell phenotypes is beginning to be recognized and may contribute to behavioral outcomes arising from circuit-specific computations within and across discrete brain nuclei. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the impact of astrocyte and microglia activity on behavioral outcomes, with a specific focus on brain areas relevant to higher cognitive control, reward-seeking, and circadian regulation. Highlights: Astrocytes and microglia display diverse properties across brain regions. Synaptic and neuronal circuit activity are highly sensitive to astrocyte and microglial signals. Higher cognitive function, circadian and reward behaviors rely on structurally and functionally dynamic glial cell responses.