Role of glia in developmental synapse formation

- Glia, in particular astrocytes, regulate neuronal synapse formation and function.
- Astrocyte signals both induce and inhibit synapse formation.
- Astrocytes control synaptic glutamate receptor levels and synaptic strength.
- Astrocytes are a heterogeneous population of cells.
- Glia play a key role in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Neuronal synapse formation and maturation in the developing brain is a complex multi-step process, and it is now clear that glial cells, in particular astrocytes, are key regulators of neuronal synaptogenesis. This article reviews the progress made in the past few years in identifying molecular mechanisms that glial cells use to regulate neuronal synaptogenesis. The focus is on novel glial molecules that induce synapse formation, inhibit synapse formation, or control synaptic levels of glutamate receptors. A role for glial cells in the pathology of neurodevelopmental disorders is discussed.