Neurons and Astrocytes: the Plot Thickens (IMAGE)

University of California - San Diego

Neurons and Astrocytes: the Plot Thickens

Caption

This photo shows neurons (green) and astrocytes (red) grown in culture. Astrocytes have become a hot research topic as evidence mounts suggesting that astrocytes in the brain’s cortex do more than provide support to neurons. UC San Diego bioengineers recently found that amyloid beta peptides (Aβ) spontaneously trigger calcium waves in purified cultures of astrocyte cells extracted from the cortex region of rat brains and grown in the lab. These calcium waves could be relevant for understanding the origin of Alzheimer's disease.

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Photo credit: Chris MacDonald / UC San Diego

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Photo credit: Chris MacDonald / UC San Diego

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