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Neurotrophins and synaptic plasticity
A K McAllister1, L C Katz, D C Lo
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. kmcallister@aim.salk.edu
Annual Review of Neuroscience
|April 15, 1999
Summary
Neurotrophins may mediate how neuronal activity shapes brain circuits. While their role in synaptic plasticity is evident, the precise mechanisms remain unclear, highlighting areas for future research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Neurobiology
Background:
- Neuronal activity is known to influence brain circuit organization and function.
- The molecular signals translating this activity into structural and functional changes are largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence implicating neurotrophins as molecular mediators of synaptic and morphological plasticity.
- To explore why neurotrophins are strong candidates for mediating activity-dependent plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on neurotrophins, neuronal plasticity, and brain development.
- Analysis of experimental data demonstrating neurotrophin effects on synaptic plasticity.
Main Results:
- Neurotrophins and their receptors are expressed in brain regions undergoing plasticity.
- Neuronal activity can modulate neurotrophin levels and secretion.
- Neurotrophins influence both synaptic transmission and neuronal growth.
Conclusions:
- Neurotrophins are compelling candidates for mediating activity-dependent structural and functional neural plasticity.
- Despite evidence of their effects, the specific rules and mechanisms of neurotrophin action in plasticity are not fully understood.