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11:02
Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
Published on: January 4, 2010
Glutamate synapse in developing brain: an integrative perspective beyond the silent state
Eric Hanse1, Tomi Taira, Sari Lauri
1Department of Physiology, Goteborg University, Goteborg 40530, Sweden.
Trends in Neurosciences
|September 8, 2009
Summary
Developing brain synapses are labile, with glutamate transmission plasticity influenced by activity. Hebbian activity stabilizes these synapses, preventing AMPA receptor silencing and synaptic elimination.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Synaptic Plasticity
Background:
- Proper neuronal network wiring is crucial for adult brain function.
- Synapse establishment involves axonal and dendritic refinement.
- The interplay between presynaptic and postsynaptic signaling in developing synapses is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent data on presynaptic and postsynaptic plasticity of the glutamate synapse in the developing brain.
- To propose a model for functional lability and stabilization of developing synapses.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of recent research data.
- Analysis of presynaptic and postsynaptic plasticity mechanisms.
- Model proposal for synaptic lability and stabilization.
Main Results:
- Developing synapses exhibit functional lability in response to neural activity.
- Both presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms (e.g., AMPA receptor signaling loss) contribute to synaptic lability.
- Hebbian activity counteracts synaptic lability, maintaining functional AMPA signaling.
Conclusions:
- Developing synapses are functionally labile but stabilized by Hebbian activity.
- Synapses maintain AMPA signaling capacity through presynaptic silence or Hebbian participation.
- Non-Hebbian activity can lead to AMPA receptor silencing and potential synaptic elimination in the developing brain.
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