Yves Agid is a clinician who is also a scientist, specialized in the study of the brain, with a special reference to neuro psychology and movement disorders, and to the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases. Pierre Magistretti is Distinguished Professor and Dean of the Division at Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering at KAUST, Professor Emeritus at EPFL and at University of Lausanne. He has discovered some of the mechanisms through which neuronal activity and energy consumption are coupled in the brain and the role of glial cells in this physiological process.

• Introduction 1: The brain: neurons, glial cells and blood vessels 2: Astrocytes: a key player in brain functions 3: Astrocytes and behaviour 4: Astrocytes and neuropsychiatric disorders 5: Towards a revolution in neurobiology and the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders Conclusion Appendix References

Yves Agid is a clinician who is also a scientist, specialized in the study of the brain, with a special reference to neuro psychology and movement disorders, and to the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases. Pierre Magistretti is Distinguished Professor and Dean of the Division at Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering at KAUST, Professor Emeritus at EPFL and at University of Lausanne. He has discovered some of the mechanisms through which neuronal activity and energy consumption are coupled in the brain and the role of glial cells in this physiological process.

• Introduction 1: The brain: neurons, glial cells and blood vessels 2: Astrocytes: a key player in brain functions 3: Astrocytes and behaviour 4: Astrocytes and neuropsychiatric disorders 5: Towards a revolution in neurobiology and the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders Conclusion Appendix References

Yves Agid is a clinician who is also a scientist, specialized in the study of the brain, with a special reference to neuro psychology and movement disorders, and to the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases. Pierre Magistretti is Distinguished Professor and Dean of the Division at Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering at KAUST, Professor Emeritus at EPFL and at University of Lausanne. He has discovered some of the mechanisms through which neuronal activity and energy consumption are coupled in the brain and the role of glial cells in this physiological process.

• Introduction 1: The brain: neurons, glial cells and blood vessels 2: Astrocytes: a key player in brain functions 3: Astrocytes and behaviour 4: Astrocytes and neuropsychiatric disorders 5: Towards a revolution in neurobiology and the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders Conclusion Appendix References