Astrocytes, once considered mere supporting elements, are increasingly recognized as active regulators of neural circuits, profoundly influencing fundamental brain functions, including pain perception, sleep regulation, and cognitive processes. This paradigm shift has been accelerated by advanced neuroscience tools. Among these, optogenetic technology has proven invaluable, enabling unprecedentedly precise, cell-type-specific, and temporally controlled manipulation of astrocytic signaling pathways. This approach has been crucial in revealing the intricate astrocytic contributions to gliotransmission, metabolic coupling via the lactate shuttle, and large-scale network dynamics. This review synthesizes the comprehensive evidence derived from recent optogenetic studies to specifically elucidate astrocytic roles in the distinct functional domains of pain, sleep, and cognition. By integrating findings across these multiple, often separated, neurological domains, this review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the diverse and integral functions of astrocytes in the healthy and diseased brain. Ultimately, this review aims to highlight future directions, technical challenges, and the significant translational implications of astrocyte-targeted optogenetic research, potentially paving the way for novel glia-based therapeutic strategies.
Kyoungho Suk (Tue,) studied this question.