Epilepsy, a condition characterized by unexpected seizures, affects nearly 1% of the population. A recent study from Tohoku University reveals that astrocyte activity begins approximately 20 seconds before the onset of epileptic neuronal hyperactivity, suggesting that astrocytes may play a key role in triggering seizures. Astrocytes are non-neuronal cells that control the ionic and metabotropic environment in the brain, and their role in brain function has often been overlooked due to their lack of easily monitored electrical activity. However, fluorescence sensor proteins are now providing insights into astrocyte activity, leading researchers to believe that they could be a potential therapeutic target for epilepsy treatment.