Oxytocin Pathway Gene () Variants Are Not Related to Psychosocial Characteristics Defined by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in Adolescents: A Field School-Based Study.

CD38 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that regulates oxytocin (OT) production and influences social interactions. The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) has been studied intensively regarding its association with human psychosocial functions. Many studies have demonstrated a link between rs3796863 and rs53576 polymorphic regions and psychosocial characteristics as well as various psychiatric disorders in adolescents.

Low micromolar Ba(2+) potentiates glutamate transporter current in hippocampal astrocytes.

Glutamate uptake, mediated by electrogenic glutamate transporters largely localized in astrocytes, is responsible for the clearance of glutamate released during excitatory synaptic transmission. Glutamate uptake also determines the availability of glutamate for extrasynaptic glutamate receptors. The efficiency of glutamate uptake is commonly estimated from the amplitude of transporter current recorded in astrocytes.

Calcium-induced outgrowth of astrocytic peripheral processes requires actin binding by Profilin-1.

Peripheral astrocytic processes (PAPs) are highly motile structures that are strategically positioned in close proximity to synapses. Long-lasting PAP retraction in hypothalamus is known to alter synaptic transmission. The PAP motility is likely to be actin-based because they are known to contain actin-related proteins such as Ezrin.