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Motor-Skill Learning Is Dependent On Astrocytic Activity., Ragunathan Padmashri, Anand Suresh, Michael D. Boska, Anna Dunaevsky
Motor-Skill Learning Is Dependent On Astrocytic Activity., Ragunathan Padmashri, Anand Suresh, Michael D. Boska, Anna Dunaevsky
Journal Articles: Munroe-Meyer Institute
Motor-skill learning induces changes in synaptic structure and function in the primary motor cortex through the involvement of a long-term potentiation- (LTP-) like mechanism. Although there is evidence that calcium-dependent release of gliotransmitters by astrocytes plays an important role in synaptic transmission and plasticity, the role of astrocytes in motor-skill learning is not known. To test the hypothesis that astrocytic activity is necessary for motor-skill learning, we perturbed astrocytic function using pharmacological and genetic approaches. We find that perturbation of astrocytes either by selectively attenuating IP3R2 mediated astrocyte Ca(2+) signaling or using an astrocyte specific metabolic inhibitor fluorocitrate (FC) results …