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Reserve pool neuron transmitter respecification: Novel neuroplasticity
Author(s) -
Dulcis Davide,
Spitzer Nicholas C.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
developmental neurobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.716
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1932-846X
pISSN - 1932-8451
DOI - 10.1002/dneu.20920
Subject(s) - neuroscience , transmitter , biology , neuron , neurotransmitter , sensory system , neurotransmitter receptor , neuroplasticity , receptor , central nervous system , computer science , computer network , channel (broadcasting) , biochemistry
The identity of the neurotransmitters expressed by neurons has been thought to be fixed and immutable, but recent studies demonstrate that changes in electrical activity can rapidly and reversibly reconfigure the transmitters and corresponding transmitter receptors that neurons express. Induction of transmitter expression can be achieved by selective activation of afferents recruited by a physiological range of sensory input. Strikingly, neurons acquiring an additional transmitter project to appropriate targets prior to transmitter respecification in some cases, indicating the presence of reserve pools of neurons that can boost circuit function. We discuss the evidence for such reserve pools, their likely locations and ways to test for their existence, and the potential clinical value of such circuit‐specific neurotransmitter respecification for treatments of neurological disorders. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 465–474, 2012