Calcium waves in the brain alleviate depressive behavior in mice
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 - 09:11
in Biology & Nature
Researchers have discovered that the benefits of stimulating the brain with direct current come from its effects on astrocytes -- not neurons -- in the mouse brain. The work shows that applying direct current to the head releases synchronized waves of calcium from astrocytes that can reduce depressive symptoms and lead to a general increase in neural plasticity.