UC Riverside

Astrocytes are a type of glial cell found in the CNS and play important physiological roles in maintaining homeostasis of the extracellular space. They are implicated in maintaining extracellular concentrations of certain ions and molecules, including the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Astrocyte volume is strongly effected by changes in the extracellular environment, a phenomenon that is widely recognized and undisputed. Under both physiological and pathological circumstances, astrocyte volume changes can occur and have noticeable effects on the activity of adjacent neurons. This dissertation aimed to (1) characterize astrocyte volume increases that occur in the presence of elevated extracellular potassium, (2) isolate astrocyte-swelling-specific effects on neuronal excitability in a model of elevated extracellular potassium, and (3) ascertain the role of volume-regulated anion channel function in astrocyte volume change and alterations in neuronal excitability.