Figure 7

Schematic drawing of a synaptic region with pre-synaptic (pre-syn) and post-synaptic (post-syn) membranes (yellow) and two astroglial processes. The figure indicates possibilities of developing selective pharmacology directed against the astroglia to alleviate dysfunction of the astroglial neuronal support and the astroglial modulation of neuronal activity. Specific subclasses of receptors on the different compartments are indicated with different colours: blue on astroglia, green on pre-syn terminal and red on the post-syn membrane. In the future it might be possible to use somatic gene therapy and introduce new genetic material into the astrocytes for the synthesis, for instance, of neurotransmitters or growth factors at injuries or degenerative diseases. Therapeutic targets are indicated.

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published 2000