Gliotransmitters are signaling molecules that are released by astrocytes and other glial cells in the central nervous system. These molecules can modulate synaptic transmission and affect the activity of nearby neurons.

There are several different types of gliotransmitters that have been identified, including ATP, D-serine, glutamate, and prostaglandins. ATP can activate purinergic receptors on nearby neurons, leading to an increase in synaptic transmission. D-serine can act as a co-agonist with glutamate at the NMDA receptor, leading to an increase in synaptic plasticity. Glutamate, as mentioned earlier, is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and can activate ionotropic glutamate receptors on nearby neurons. Prostaglandins can act as neuromodulators, affecting the activity of nearby neurons and contributing to the regulation of inflammation.

The release of gliotransmitters is tightly regulated and can be influenced by a variety of factors, including neuronal activity, neuroinflammation, and metabolic stress. Gliotransmission is thought to be an important mechanism for the modulation of synaptic transmission and the regulation of neural activity, and dysregulation of gliotransmitter signaling has been implicated in several neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and depression.