Brain cells named for stars are finally getting their time to shine. Three distinct studies, published May 15 in Science, show that astrocytes, once thought of as support cells, powerfully shape how brains work.
These findings — from the brains of fruit flies, zebrafish and mice — open new possibilities for therapies aimed at mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia. They could also lead to a deeper understanding of how current therapies work.
Astrocytes used to be thought of as helpers, assisting with grunt work in the brain. These starburst-shaped cells clean up waste between nerve cells, serve as barriers that keeps harmful threats out of the brain