Fight-or-Flight Chemical Prepares Cells to Shift the Brain From Subdued to Alert State
Johns Hopkins MedicineBrain cells, called astrocytes because of their star-shaped appearance, can monitor and respond to nearby neural activity, but only after being activated by the fight-or-flight chemical norepinephrine. Because astrocytes can alter the activity of neurons, the findings suggest that astrocytes may help control the brain’s ability to focus.