Scientists have shown that neuronal and glial circuits form a loosely coupled super-network within the brain.

Activation of the metabotropic glutamate receptors in neurons was shown to be largely influenced by the state of the glial cells. Therefore, artificial control of the glial state could potentially be used to enhance the memory function of the brain. Findings were detailed in the Journal of Physiology.

Although the glial cells occupy more than half of the brain, they were thought to act as glue–merely filling the gap between neurons. However, recent findings show that the concentration of intracellular ions in glia, such as calcium and proton, can fluctuate over time.

Scientists have revealed glial cells act as amplifiers for synaptic signals and artificial control of the glial state can potentially be used for enhanced memory function of the brain.

“Glial cells appear to have the capacity of coding information,” says professor Ko Matsui of the Super-network Brain Physiology lab at Tohoku University, who led the research. “However, the role of the added layer of signals encoded in the glial circuit has always been an enigma.”

Using patch clamp electrophysiology techniques in acute brain slices from mice, Dr. Kaoru Beppu, Matsui, and their team show that glial cells in the cerebellum react to excitatory transmitter glutamate released from synapses of neurons. The glial cells then release additional glutamate in return. Therefore, these glial cells effectively function as excitatory signal amplifiers.

The additional glutamate released from glial cells efficiently activate metabotropic glutamate receptors on Purkinje neurons–essential for cerebellar motor learning. The amount of feedforward excitation was controlled by the intracellular pH of the glia cells.

“Depending on the state of our mind, the same experience could become a lasting memory or could fade away,” says Matsui. “It is possible that the pH of the glial cells at the time of the experience could have a pivotal role on memory formation.”

In this study, light-sensitive proteins were genetically expressed in glial cells to control their pH at will. Such optogenetics technology would be difficult to apply in human patients.

“Although it would take a long time for clinical use, it is possible to imagine a future where a therapeutic strategy is designed to target glial cells to control their pH for memory enhancement to treat dementia,” added Matsui.