Calcium signalling in glial cells

Calcium signals are the universal way of glial responses to the various typ es of stimulation. Glial cells express numerous receptors and ion channels linked to the generation of complex cytoplasmic calcium responses. The glia l calcium signals are able to propagate within glial cells and to create a spreading intercellular Ca2+ wave which allows information exchange within the glial networks. These propagating Ca2+ waves are primarily mediated by intracellular excitable media formed by intracellular calcium storage organ elles. The glial calcium signals could be evoked by neuronal activity and v ice versa they may initiate electrical and Ca2+ responses in adjacent neuro nes. Thus glial calcium signals could integrate glial and neuronal compartm ents being therefore involved in the information processing in the brain.