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[Dale's principle and the one neuron-one transmitter concept]
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Summary
Dale's principle, the idea that neurons release only one type of neurotransmitter, is being re-examined. Recent findings suggest some neurons may contain and release multiple transmitters, challenging the long-held "one neuron-one transmitter" concept.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurochemistry
Context:
- Dale's principle, proposed by Eccles in 1954, is often misinterpreted as the "one neuron-one transmitter concept".
- The precise origin of this strict interpretation is unclear, as neither Dale nor Eccles explicitly stated it in these terms.
Purpose:
- To clarify the accurate definition of Dale's principle.
- To examine recent findings that challenge the "one neuron-one transmitter concept".
Summary:
- Eccles (1976) defined Dale's principle as the "liberation of the same transmitter substance or substances at all axonal branches of a neuron".
- Emerging research indicates that some neurons co-express multiple neurotransmitters, contradicting the simplified "one neuron-one transmitter" notion.
- Further investigation is required to determine if this multi-transmitter phenomenon is widespread or exceptional.
Impact:
- This re-evaluation prompts a deeper understanding of neuronal communication and neurotransmitter diversity.
- It may lead to revised models of synaptic transmission and neuropharmacological targets.