Glial ER and GAP junction mediated Ca waves are crucial to maintain normal brain excitability.

Astrocytes play key roles in regulating multiple aspects of neuronal function from invertebrates to humans and display Ca fluctuations that are heterogeneously distributed throughout different cellular microdomains. Changes in Ca dynamics represent a key mechanism for how astrocytes modulate neuronal activity. An unresolved issue is the origin and contribution of specific glial Ca signaling components at distinct astrocytic domains to neuronal physiology and brain function.