title: Glial modulation of synaptic transmission in the retina.
abstract: Glial modulation of synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability in the mammalian retina is mediated by several mechanisms. Stimulation of glial cells evokes Ca(2+) waves, which propagate through the network of retinal astrocytes and Müller cells and result in the modulation of the activity of neighboring ganglion cells. Light-evoked spiking is enhanced in some ganglion cells and depressed in others. A facilitation or depression of light-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents is also seen in ganglion cells following glial stimulation. In addition, stimulation of glial cells evokes a sustained hyperpolarizing current in ganglion cells which is mediated by ATP release from Müller cells and activation of neuronal A(1) adenosine receptors. Recent studies reveal that light-evoked activity in retinal neurons results in an increase in the frequency of Ca(2+) transients in Müller cells. Thus, there is two-way communication between neurons and glial cells, suggesting that glia contribute to information processing in the retina.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*