Transmitter plasticity in the developing brain

✍ Scribed by Aronson, Scott L. ;Dreyfus, Cheryl F.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 116 KB
• Volume: 4
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1080-4013
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-2779(1998)4:3<150::aid-mrdd2>3.0.co;2-s

✦ Synopsis

A neuron's identity has historically been defined by its neurotransmitter phenotype. Traditionally, this phenotype was considered immutable. However, it has been shown that external factors can drastically affect neurotransmitter expression. Early work using transplanted neural crest cells and peripheral neurons indicates that a neuron's environment alters its neurotransmitter expression. Later studies in the brain note that modulation of transmitter phenotype is influenced by presynaptic, target, and local signals. We review these studies that explore phenotypic plasticity, focusing on the central nervous system. We note that altered transmitter phenotype may impact on the developing brain and influence synaptic function, axonal development, proliferation, and survival.