Fig. 8: A scheme is showing the effect of CR on synaptic microenvironment and plasticity. | Cell Death & Disease

Fig. 8: A scheme is showing the effect of CR on synaptic microenvironment and plasticity.

From: Caloric restriction triggers morphofunctional remodeling of astrocytes and enhances synaptic plasticity in the mouse hippocampus

Fig. 8

The growth of thin astrocytic processes triggered by CR increases astrocyte volume fraction in hippocampal neuropil and reduces the escape of K+ and glutamate from the synaptic cleft (spillover). Fewer extrasynaptic N2B-NMDA receptors are activated by glutamate spillover during high-frequency synaptic stimulation. Reduced activation of extrasynaptic N2B-NMDA, in turn, increases the magnitude of LTP. Growth of astroglial perisynaptic leaflets is associated with the downregulation of Cx43 expression and reduced gap-junction coupling of the cells in the network. Fewer channels balance astrocyte input resistance increase produced by larger astrocyte membrane surface.

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