Summary:
- Astrocytes, a type of brain cell, were previously thought to only support and nourish neurons, the cells that transmit signals in the brain.
- Recent research has shown that astrocytes actually play a much more active role in brain function, regulating the activity of neurons and controlling the flow of information in the brain.
- Astrocytes can sense and respond to the activity of nearby neurons, and can even influence the firing of neurons, challenging the traditional view of their role in the brain.