The findings reviewed here highlight novel key elements of astrocytic involvement in epilepsy, in particular, abnormalities in the astrocyte control of extracellular K+, Ca2+ signaling, and gliotransmitter release in mTLE and abnormalities in GAT-1, Cx30- and Cx43-based GJs, and the IL-1β pathway in absence seizures. The gene discussed is SLC6A1; the disease is juvenile absence epilepsy.