Presynaptic modulation of GABA release in the basal ganglia
Ulrich Misgeld1, Geoffrey Drew, Yevgenij Yanovsky
1Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology and Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 326, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany. ulrich.misgeld@physiologie.uni-heidelberg.de
Abstract:
Presynaptic receptors provide plasticity to GABAergic synapses in the basal ganglia network, in which GABA neurons outnumber all other neurons. Presynaptic receptors, mostly of the metabotropic type, enhance or reduce the strength of synaptic inhibition and are activated by ligands being released from the GABA terminals themselves (autoreceptors) or by ligands coming from other sources (heteroreceptors), including the target neurons innervated by the GABA terminals. The latter mechanism, termed retrograde signaling, is given particular emphasis as far as it occurs in substantia nigra.
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