Fig. 9.

Astrocytic synaptic cradle. Astroglial cradle embraces and fosters multipartite synapse in the CNS. The majority of synapses in the brain and in the spinal cord is composed of several components that include the presynaptic terminal. These components are: the postsynaptic part, the perisynaptic process of the astrocyte, the process of neighbouring microglial cell that periodically contacts the synaptic structure and the extracellular matrix (ECM) present in the synaptic cleft and also extending extra-synaptically. Astroglial perisynaptic sheath enwraps synaptic structures; regulates, influences and assists synaptogenesis, synaptic maturation, synaptic maintenance and synaptic extinction; and also modulates synaptic transmission and plasticity. (Reproduced from Verkhratsky and Nedergaard (2014))