Fruitflies' study reveals impact of overlooked cell in brain function

An often-ignored type of cell in the brain plays a dynamic and surprisingly complex role in our ability to process information, according to new research from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).

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The study, published today in the journal Science, provides direct evidence for the real-time action of a star-shaped type of glial cell, known as astrocytes, in the live brains of fruit flies.

The abundant cell type -- roughly 35% of all cells in the human brain -- appears to be a key part of orchestrating a complex network governing brain function.

"We hope this begins to fundamentally change how the field thinks about astrocytes and their role in mediating neurophysiology and behaviour," said senior author Marc Freeman, Ph.D., director of the OHSU Vollum Institute.

Over the long run, it should change how people think about developing therapies for regulation of attention, anxiety and mood," he added.

The discovery was replicated in the astrocytes of rodents, suggesting it's an ancient feature of evolution likely to be conserved in other mammals including people.