Cited by 1,820Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsNeural dynamics and brain function

Tripartite synapses: astrocytes process and control synaptic information

Perea, Gertrudis, Navarrete, Marta, Araque, Alfonso·2009·Trends in Neurosciences

Abstract

The term 'tripartite synapse' refers to a concept in synaptic physiology based on the demonstration of the existence of bidirectional communication between astrocytes and neurons. Consistent with this concept, in addition to the classic 'bipartite' information flow between the pre- and postsynaptic neurons, astrocytes exchange information with the synaptic neuronal elements, responding to synaptic activity and, in turn, regulating synaptic transmission. Because recent evidence has demonstrated that astrocytes integrate and process synaptic information and control synaptic transmission and plasticity, astrocytes, being active partners in synaptic function, are cellular elements involved in the processing, transfer and storage of information by the nervous system. Consequently, in contrast to the classically accepted paradigm that brain function results exclusively from neuronal activity, there is an emerging view, which we review herein, in which brain function actually arises from the coordinated activity of a network comprising both neurons and glia.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.tins.2009.05.001

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Authors
Perea, G., Navarrete, M., & Araque, A.
Affiliations
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
Corresponding author
Araque, Alfonso
Venue
Trends in Neurosciences
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-08
Volume
32
Issue
8
Pages
421-431
ISSN
0166-2236 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2147372806
Cited by
1,820
References
109
Citations by year
2026: 89 · 2025: 124 · 2024: 133 · 2023: 140 · 2022: 126 · 2021: 128 · 2020: 107 · 2019: 108 · 2018: 112 · 2017: 80 · 2016: 112 · 2015: 106 · 2014: 102 · 2013: 90 · 2012: 107
FWCI
7.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Trends in Neurosciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
Keywords
tripartite synapse, astrocytes, astrocyte-neuron communication, synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, neuron-glia interactions
MeSH terms
Animals, Astrocytes, Calcium, Synaptic Transmission, Neurons, Synapses, Neurotransmitter Agents

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