Astrocytes connect specific brain regions through plastic networks
to image these intact, three-dimensional astrocyte networks. We show that multiple astrocyte networks traverse the mouse brain. These networks selectively connect specific regions, rather than diffusing indiscriminately, and vary in size and organization. We observe local networks that are confined to single brain regions and long-range networks that robustly interconnect multiple regions across hemispheres, often exhibiting patterns distinct from known neuronal networks. We also demonstrate that astrocyte networks undergo structural reorganization in the adult brain after sensory deprivation. These findings reveal a mode of communication between distant brain regions that is mediated by plastic networks of gap junction-coupled astrocytes.
Authors
- Michael Cammer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4930-1739)
- Holly K. Gildea (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9549-890X)
- Joseph Sall (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8585-175X)
- Chase Redd
- María Clara Sellés (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0008-6081)
- Damian G. Wheeler
- Aiman S. Saab (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3886-8369)
- Melissa Cooper (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4337-8356)
- Shane A. Liddelow (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0840-1437)
- Katelyn E Chiurri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8275-2223)
- Philip Cheung
Institutions
- University of Zurich (CH)
- University of California, Irvine (US)
- ETH Zurich (CH)
- NYU Langone Health (US)
- New York University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature
- Published
- 2026-04-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10426-6
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Connexins and lens biology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 13.30