Astrocyte-neuron interactions in brain circuits and behavioral control

Learning and executing everyday tasks, such as walking, drinking, or playing the saxophone, requires our brain to form and reshape its connections. Even the slightest mistake in this process can cause devastating consequences for controlling such basic voluntary behaviors. Indeed, genetic mutations, brain degeneration, stroke, and inflammation cause the insurgence of cognitive and motor diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and frontotemporal dementia. Hence, it is vital to understand these circuits’ function and structure, as well as the underlying cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms. In this context, our lab investigates the mechanisms used by astrocytes, the brain’s most abundant glial cell type, and neurons to shape brain circuits and control goal-directed behaviors. First, we aim to describe the causal relationship between structure, function, and proper regulation of goal-directed behaviors.