Valproic acid mediates the synaptic excitatory/inhibitory balance through astrocytes - A preliminary study

► VPA up-regulated synaptic cellular adhesion molecules released from astrocyte. ► VPA up-regulated extracellular matrices released from astrocyte. ► Other HDAC inhibitors mimicked VPA's effect on astrocyte. ► Lithium and other GSK-3 beta inhibitors could not mimic VPA's effect on astrocyte. ► VPA increased the excitatory/inhibitory synaptic proteins in neuro-glial cultures.