AUTHOR=Orellana Juan A., Retamal Mauricio A., Moraga-Amaro Rodrigo, Stehberg Jimmy TITLE=Role of Astroglial Hemichannels and Pannexons in Memory and Neurodegenerative Diseases JOURNAL=Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience VOLUME=10 YEAR=2016 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnint.2016.00026 DOI=10.3389/fnint.2016.00026 ISSN=1662-5145 ABSTRACT=Under physiological conditions, astroglial hemichannels and pannexons allow the release of gliotransmitters from astrocytes. These gliotransmitters are critical in modulating synaptic transmission, plasticity and memory. However, recent evidence suggests that under pathological conditions, they may be central in the development of various neurodegenerative diseases. Here we review current literature on the role of astroglial hemichannels and pannexons in memory, stress and the development of neurodegenerative diseases, and propose that they are not only crucial for normal brain function, including memory, but also a potential target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.