Glia help synapses form and function.
A sophisticated new cell-culture system has shown that glial cells can promote synaptogenesis and enhance the efficacy of synaptic transmission. These effects are not secondary to increased neuronal survival but probably involve changes in neuronal activity levels and a secreted glial factor.
Smith
S J
SJ
Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Beckman Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*