Nature insight

摘要

Ever since their discovery more than 150 years ago, glial cells have been defined by what they couldn't do. Above all, they have lacked the ability to communicate with other cells through fast electrical and chemical signals - action potentials running down axons and transmitter release at synapses. This has been the exclusive property of neurons, their arch rivals in the battle for researchers' attention - and funding. And because action potentials remain the dominant currency of information processing in the brain, most neuroscientists still see glia as second-class supporting material - the brain's 'glue'.