957-Mapping Plastic Astrocyte Networks Across the Brain

Paper Talk · May 12, 2026 · 22m

Researchers have developed a novel vector-based tracer to map how astrocytes form complex communication networks across the mouse brain. Traditionally, long-range brain connectivity was attributed almost entirely to neurons, but this study reveals that astrocytic gap junctions create distinct, organized pathways that link distant regions. By utilizing TurboID-mediated biotinylation and whole-brain tissue clearing, the authors visualized these networks in three dimensions without damaging the native tissue. Their findings demonstrate that astrocyte networks are region-specific and can span…