Gift-giving brain cells are lifeline to injured nerve cells

Astrocytes share energy-making mitochondria with neural neighbors

astrocytes

GIFT GIVER  Star-shaped astrocytes (green) may donate mitochondria to nerve cells in distress, helping the brain escape damage from stroke and possibly other maladies, a new study suggests. 

Lka/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Under duress, nerve cells get a little help from their friends.