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Functional Implications of Neurotransmitter Segregation
Fredy Cifuentes1, Miguel Angel Morales1
1Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
Frontiers in Neural Circuits
|November 1, 2021
Summary
Neurotransmitter segregation, where neurons send different chemical messengers to distinct locations, is a plastic process. This segregation impacts neural function and varies with age and physiological conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Neurotransmitter cotransmission involves neurons releasing multiple signaling molecules.
- Neurotransmitter segregation is a specific subtype where these molecules are routed to distinct neuronal processes.
- This process is plastic and influenced by synaptic needs and target-derived signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present and discuss the characteristics and properties of neurotransmitter segregation.
- To review evidence and explore functional implications in the central nervous system (CNS) and autonomic nervous system.
- To investigate the role of segregation in neural activity alterations in physiopathological conditions and with age.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on neurotransmitter segregation.
- Analysis of segregation in retinal amacrine cells (acetylcholine/GABA, glycine/glutamate).
- Examination of segregation in rat superior cervical ganglion (acetylcholine/GABA) and its correlation with transmission strength.
Main Results:
- Neurotransmitter segregation is a plastic phenomenon regulated by target-derived signals.
- Distant segregation in the CNS may support autocrine/paracrine neurotransmitter functions.
- Segregation in retinal cells influences the firing rate of direction-selective ganglion cells.
- In the superior cervical ganglion, regional segregation of acetylcholine and GABA correlates with transmission strength, with greater segregation leading to less inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Variations in neurotransmitter segregation influence neural activity in various physiopathological states and during aging.
- Segregation increases in acute sympathetic hyperactivity (cold stress) and with age.
- Segregation does not change in chronic hyperactivity (hypertension).
- Altered neurotransmitter segregation may contribute to altered neural activity in specific conditions and with aging.
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