Glial cells of the nucleus tractus solitarius as partners of the dorsal hindbrain regulation of energy balance: a proposal for a working hypothesis.
While the evidences emphasizing the role of astroglial cells in numerous aspects of information processing within the brain merges, the literature dealing with the involvement of this cell population in the signalization involved in feeding behavior and energetic homeostasis remains scarce. Nevertheless, some clues are now available indicating that glia could play a dynamic role in the regulation of energy balance, and that strengthening research effort in this field may further our understanding of the mechanisms controlling feeding behaviour. In the present review, we have summarized recent data indicating that the multifaceted glial compartment of the brainstem should be considered in future research aimed at identifying feeding-related processes operating at this level.
Dallaporta
Michel
M
Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie-Neurophysiologie de Marseille, UMR 6231 CNRS, Département de Physiologie Neurovégétative, USC INRA 2027, Université Paul Cézanne, Marseille, France.
Bonnet
Marion S
MS
Horner
Kathleen
K
Trouslard
Jérôme
J
Jean
André
A
Troadec
Jean-Denis
JD
D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D012249:Rhombencephalon / Q000502:physiology*; D017552:Solitary Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*