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Shaping brain connections through spontaneous neural activity
Author(s) -
Yamamoto Nobuhiko,
LópezBendito Guillermina
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2012.08101.x
Subject(s) - biological neural network , neuroscience , axon , axon guidance , neurite , biology , neural activity , neural development , mammalian brain , premovement neuronal activity , psychology , genetics , gene , in vitro
Abstract An overwhelming number of observations demonstrate that neural activity and genetic programs interact to specify the composition and organization of neural circuits during all stages of development. Spontaneous neuronal activities have been documented in several developing neural regions in both invertebrates and vertebrates, and their roles are mostly conserved among species. Among these roles, Ca 2+ spikes and levels of electrical activity have been shown to regulate neurite growth, axon extension and axon branching. Here, we review selected findings concerning the role of spontaneous activity on circuit development.