TITLE:
Self-Structuring of Motile Astrocytic Processes within the Network of a Single Astrocyte
AUTHORS:
Bernhard J. Mitterauer
KEYWORDS:
Perisynaptic Astrocytic Processes, Glial Network, Self-Structuring, Time Scales, Autonomous Function
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Vol.6 No.12,
December
18,
2015
ABSTRACT: Dynamic structuring and functions of perisynaptic astrocytic processes and of the gap junction
network within a single astrocyte are outlined. Motile perisynaptic astrocytic processes are generating
microdomains. By contacting and retracting of their endfeet an appropriate receptor pattern
is selected that modulates the astrocytic receptor sheath for its activation by neurotransmitter
substances, ions, transporters, etc. This synaptic information processing occurs in three distinct
time scales of milliseconds to seconds, seconds to minutes, hours or longer. Simultaneously,
the interconnecting gap junctions are activated by building a network within the astrocyte. Frequently
activated gap junction cycles become embodied in gap junction plaques. The gap junction
network formation and gap junction plaques are governed and controlled in the same time scales
as synaptic information processing. Biomimetic computer systems may represent an alternative to
limitations of brainphysiological research. The model proposed allows the interpretation of affective
psychoses and schizophrenia as time disorders basically determined by a shortened, prolonged
or lacking time scale of synaptic information processing.