Astrocytes, not just neurons, found to drive fear memory signals in the amygdala
Medical Xpress
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A groundbreaking study challenges long-held beliefs about the role of astrocytes in brain function. Traditionally viewed as supportive cells that maintain neural circuits and protect neurons, astrocytes are now found to be crucial players in fear memory formation alongside neurons. This discovery highlights their previously underestimated influence on emotional processing.
For decades, astrocytes were thought to primarily performcaretaking functions, such as maintaining the nervous system's environment and ensuring proper neuronal communication. However, this study reveals that astrocytes actively contribute to fear memory signaling by releasing glutamate, a neurotransmitter, which activates nearby neurons during fear conditioning.
The research utilized advanced techniques like chemical genetics and optogenetics to observe astrocyte activity in the amygdala, the brain's fear center. Findings showed that when fear memories were formed, astrocytes became highly active and released glutamate, directly influencing neighboring neurons to encode these memories. This discovery shifts our understanding of how emotional memories are formed, suggesting astrocytes are not passive supporters but active participants in neural communication.
This breakthrough has significant implications for treating anxiety disorders and other conditions linked to fear memory. By targeting astrocytes, researchers may develop new therapies that modulate fear responses more effectively than current approaches that focus solely on neurons. This study underscores the importance of exploring non-neuronal brain cells for understanding and addressing neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Understanding the dynamic role of astrocytes in emotional processing opens up exciting possibilities for future research. It also emphasizes the need to consider a broader range of cellular interactions when developing treatments for fear-related disorders, potentially leading to more effective interventions in mental health care.
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/20/2026