Astrocyte gap junctions and K _<i>ir</i> channels contribute to K⁺ buffering and regulate neuronal excitability.

ABSTRACT: Astrocytes are connected in a functional syncytium via gap junctions, which contribute to the maintenance of extracellular K⁺ homeostasis. The prevailing hypothesis is that K⁺ released during neuronal firing is taken up by astrocytes via K _ir channels and then distributed among neighboring astrocytes via gap junctions. Here, we tested the effect of blocking gap junctions and K _ir channels, both independently and simultaneously, on field excitability of cortical slices in response to a stimulation train. Independently blocking either gap junctions or K _ir channels increased the amplitude of the first fEPSC (field excitatory post-synaptic current) response, followed by suppression of both fiber volley (pre-synaptic a

SUBMITTER: Bojovic D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12676906 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature