2026年2月11日出版的《神经科学通报》杂志发表了中国科学家的一项最新研究成果。来自哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院的王坤与上海交通大学医学院松江研究院王杰小组研究出星形胶质细胞驱动的全脑功能网络和BOLD信号的调制。

使用多模态神经成像方法，课题组研究人员探索星形胶质细胞激活如何影响不同脑区域的电生理反应，特别是前额叶皮层（PFC）及其下游目标的焦点形成。他们的结果显示，在特定频段内，如Theta和Delta， LFP能量显著增加，以响应激光刺激。这些变化表明星形胶质细胞活动的空间特异性及其调节局部网络动态的能力。

此外，在化学发生抑制神经元活性之后，星形胶质细胞的光遗传再激活继续引起BOLD反应，支持星形胶质细胞在脑血流和代谢调节中起关键作用的观点。这些发现挑战了BOLD信号起源的传统观点，并强调需要重新评估星形胶质细胞参与神经血管耦合。这项研究为星形胶质细胞功能提供了新的见解，为全脑连接及其对正常脑功能和神经病理状况的影响提供了新的视角。

研究人员表示，长期以来，星形胶质细胞一直被认为是大脑功能的被动参与者，但新出现的证据表明，它们积极调节神经活动和信号传递。本研究将化学遗传学和光遗传学方法与功能磁共振成像（fMRI）相结合，研究星形胶质细胞激活对局部场电位（LFPs）和下游BOLD信号的影响。

附：英文原文

Title: Astrocyte-Driven Modulation of Whole-Brain Functional Networks and BOLD Signals Revealed by Optogenetic-fMRI

Author: Liu, Zhuang, Wang, Li, Lou, Tiangang, Zhao, Ziyue, Du, Hongying, Chen, Juxiang, Zeng, Hongchun, Wang, Jie, Wang, Kun

Issue&Volume: 2026-02-11

Abstract: Astrocytes have long been considered passive players in brain function, yet emerging evidence suggests they actively modulate neural activity and signal transmission. This study combines chemogenetics and optogenetics approaches with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the impact of astrocyte activation on local field potentials (LFPs) and downstream BOLD signals. Using a multimodal neuroimaging approach, we explore how astrocyte activation influences electrophysiological responses in different brain regions, particularly focusing on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and its downstream targets. Our results reveal significant increases in LFP energy within specific frequency bands, such as Theta and Delta, in response to laser stimulation. These changes demonstrate the spatial specificity of astrocyte activity and its capacity to modulate local network dynamics. Furthermore, following chemogenetic inhibition of neuronal activity, optogenetic reactivation of astrocytes continued to evoke BOLD responses, supporting the notion that astrocytes have a pivotal role in the regulation of cerebral blood flow and metabolism. These findings challenge traditional views of BOLD signal origins and emphasize the need for a reevaluation of astrocyte involvement in neurovascular coupling. This study provides novel insights into astrocyte function, offering a new perspective on brain-wide connectivity and its implications for both normal brain function and neuropathological conditions.

DOI: 10.1007/s12264-026-01590-w

Source:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12264-026-01590-w