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Event

Keith Murai (Â鶹AV) - Anatomical and function dissection of neuron-astrocyte interactions in the mature brain

Wednesday, February 8, 2017 11:30to12:30
Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building Room 2/36, 3640 rue University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C7, CA
Price: 
Free

"Anatomical and function dissection of neuron-astrocyte interactions in the mature brain"

Dr. Keith Murai

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Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery

Astrocytes are key partners for neurons in the healthy brain and contribute to the physiology and homeostasis of neural circuits. Astrocytes perform diverse functions through their elaborate structural and molecular properties. However, the prescise mechanisms that create and maintain differences among astrocytes remain poorly understood. In this presentation, results will be presented showing the remarkable anatomical and functional complexity of astrocytes in the brain using advanced electron microscopy and molecular techniques. Furthermore, results will be shown demonstrating how mature neurons in the brain signal to neighbouring astrocytes to direct their molecular and physiological features. This neuron to astrocyte communication is both necessary and sufficient for astrocyte molecular diversification including the expression of key molecules including glutamate transporters and receptors, potassium channels, and water channels. Thus, astrocytes receive important information from neurons to ensure that they are properly specialized for nearby brain circuits.

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