Decoding Natural Astrocyte Rhythms: Dynamic Actin Waves Result from Environmental Sensing by Primary Rodent Astrocytes

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adbi.202200269

Damn this is cool work.

So they managed to note that astrocytes can processes multiple stimuli concurrently, and demonstrates how they remodel themselves to reflect that processed information.

It further demonstrates how this has a downstream effect on other cells, like neurons. Information is stored local to the astrocyte, then encoded into local group neurons.

The super cool thing about this is that it shows off the Central Pattern Generator effect existing at the astrocyte level, providing consistent evidence to the conceit that organism functions are complexifications/specialization of functions which exist at the cellular level.

It really gives a sense of how “cumulative” the effect of cognition is, every cell contributes discrete information, and the information is “voted” via a “signal strength” and “order” mechanic into “behavior”.

Slime molds aren’t so different from us after all.

Edit:
Detection of astrocytic slow oscillatory activity and response to seizurogenic compounds using planar microelectrode array

Editorial: Modulation of neuronal excitability by non-neuronal cells in physiological and pathophysiological conditions

Proximity of astrocyte leaflets to the synapse determines memory strength (Pre-Print)