HealthAugust 4, 2026
astrocytes
AS-truh-sayts
Definition
Star-shaped glial cells in the brain that provide physical and metabolic support to neurons and are involved in maintaining the brain's homeostatic environment.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek words 'astron' (star) and 'kytos' (hollow vessel or cell), reflecting the cell's distinct starlike shape when viewed under a microscope.
In the news
The article suggests that future research should examine whether astrocytes, in addition to microglia, play a role in the hormone-driven remodeling of brain networks following ketamine anesthesia.
New study details how ketamine alters neural networks differently in males and females
Read the full article ↗PsyPost