Astrocytes: A New Approach to Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

Illustration of astrocytes in the brain—characteristic star-shaped glial cells.

When we think of the brain, we usually imagine neurons—the cells that allow us to think, remember, and move. However, there is another equally important type of cell that has long been overlooked: astrocytes.

For years, astrocytes—a type of glial cell—were believed to serve solely as “support” cells for neurons, providing them with stability and protection. Recent research, however, is revealing that these cells have much more to offer. Astrocytes actively participate in neuronal communication, regulate the brain’s chemical balance, and, surprisingly, are also involved in controlling movement.

Notable studies led by Professor Rafiq Huda and Dr. Wesley Evans from the Department of Cellular Biology and Neuroscience at Rutgers University have demonstrated that astrocytes play an active role in modulating neuronal activity, particularly in circuits related to motor control. Their research, which examined the changes in astrocyte activity during locomotion in animal models, found that activity increases with movement. In contrast, a significant decrease in astrocyte function was observed in Parkinson’s disease models.

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, resulting in decreased dopamine levels in the striatum and, consequently, impaired movement. Given the close interaction between astrocytes and neurons, researchers hypothesized that these cells might also be implicated in this functional decline.

Astonishingly, restoring astrocyte activity in animal models of Parkinson’s disease led to significant improvements in overall motor function. These findings open a new research avenue and position astrocytes as a promising therapeutic target for alleviating locomotion-related symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.

In conclusion, the work of Huda and Evans suggests that astrocytes do more than merely support neurons—they play a crucial role in regulating motor function. This new perspective could revolutionize current therapeutic strategies and pave the way for innovative treatments focused on glial cells.

References.

Wesley R. Evans et al., Chemogenetic Control of Striatal Astrocytes Improves Parkinsonian Motor Deficits in Mice. Glia (2025). https://doi.org/10.1002/glia.24679