Astrocyte ion channels

<p>Astrocytes contain a wide variety of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors and transporters. The K+ and Ca2+ ion channels are used by the astrocytes to maintain brain homeostasis for these ions. During synaptic activity, there is a buildup of K+ in the extracellular space, which is alleviated by astrocytic uptake (Nilsson and Hagberg, 1997). The astrocytes then eject the uptaken K+ into the capillary blood (Nilsson and Hagberg, 1997). The role of astrocytic Ca2+ ion channels is as of yet unclear.Astrocytes contain a wide variety of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors and transporters. The K+ and Ca2+ ion channels are used by the astrocytes to maintain brain homeostasis for these ions. During synaptic activity, there is a buildup of K+ in the extracellular space, which is alleviated by astrocytic uptake (Nilsson and Hagberg, 1997). The astrocytes then eject the uptaken K+ into the capillary blood (Nilsson and Hagberg, 1997). The role of astrocytic Ca2+ ion channels is as of yet unclear.</p>