Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Glial Cells

Glial Cells

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial...

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Cognitive function depends upon <i>Satb2</i> gene dosage in cortical projection neurons.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

iAstrocytes model cytokine influences on complement expression and neuronal network synchronization.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Feature-specific threat coding in lateral septum guides defensive action.

Nature·2026

Same author

Protein-guided RNA barcoding links transcriptomes to synaptic architecture.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Engulfment by brain macrophages in a short-lived vertebrate.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Rexinoid NEt-3IB Promotes Resident Macrophage Gene Expression and Mitigates Desiccation-Induced Ocular Surface Disease.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Primary Microglia Isolation from Mixed Glial Cell Cultures of Neonatal Rat Brain Tissue

Primary Microglia Isolation from Mixed Glial Cell Cultures of Neonatal Rat Brain Tissue

Published on: August 15, 2012

GABA-receptive microglia selectively sculpt developing inhibitory circuits.

Emilia Favuzzi¹, Shuhan Huang¹, Giuseppe A Saldi²

¹Department of Neurobiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.

|July 7, 2021

Summary

Specialized microglia sculpt brain wiring by selectively interacting with inhibitory synapses. This GABA-driven process refines neural circuits and is essential for normal behavior.

Keywords:

cerebral cortex development glia-neuron interactions inhibitory synapses interneurons microglia neurodevelopmental disorders

More Related Videos

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

Published on: November 14, 2014

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility

Published on: April 13, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Primary Microglia Isolation from Mixed Glial Cell Cultures of Neonatal Rat Brain Tissue

Primary Microglia Isolation from Mixed Glial Cell Cultures of Neonatal Rat Brain Tissue

Published on: August 15, 2012

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

Published on: November 14, 2014

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility

Published on: April 13, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Immunology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Microglia are brain immune cells regulating synaptic plasticity and neural circuit development.
The specific roles of microglia in remodeling distinct synapse types during development remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate whether specialized microglia mediate the remodeling of specific synapse types during brain development.
To explore the role of GABA signaling in microglia-mediated synaptic refinement.

Main Methods:

Utilized mouse models to study microglia-synapse interactions during postnatal development.
Investigated the transcriptional response of microglia to GABA.
Examined the effects of ablating microglial GABA_B receptors on synaptic connectivity and behavior.

Main Results:

Identified GABA-receptive microglia that selectively interact with inhibitory cortical synapses.
Demonstrated that GABA triggers a transcriptional program in microglia for remodeling inhibitory synapses.
Showed that microglial GABA_B receptor signaling is crucial for sculpting inhibitory connectivity and preventing behavioral abnormalities.

Conclusions:

Microglia exhibit cell-type specialization, with GABA-receptive microglia specifically targeting inhibitory synapses.
Microglia-mediated synaptic remodeling is a critical mechanism for establishing proper brain wiring.
Selective neuronal-glial communication is fundamental for neural circuit development and function.