Astrocytes are the most abundant non-neuronal cell type in the brain, though the mechanisms they use to communicate with neurons remains unclear. A new study has identified a role for astrocytes in implementing feedforward inhibition over slow timescales and filled in critical molecular details in a biochemical pathway that astrocytes use to signal to neurons.

From Florian Engert (Harvard), Misha Ahrens (Janelia) and colleagues, first author Alex B Chen. Read more at MCB News.