What is it about?
Excitatory synapses can develop in the absence of neuronal activity. Inhibitory synapses require the presence of neuronal activity to develop fully. Neurotrophic factors that promote inhibitory synapse development react with a specific receptor, TrkB. Ways of promoting development of inhibitory synapses include adding neurotrophic factors to the nervous system, encouraging the release neurotrophic factors from within the nervous system by increasing neuronal activity, such as with exercise, or activating TrkB receptors with antibodies that specifically activate those receptors.
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Why is it important?
The promotion of inhibitory synapse development may be important for recovery in such human nervous system disorders as stroke or trauma.
Perspectives
The balance between inhibition and excitation may be disrupted in some human neurological disorders. It is important for recovery to reestablish this balance. Therefore means of promoting development or restoration of inhibitory synapses may assist recovery.
Dr. Fredrick J. Seil
Oregon Health & Science University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Activity-Dependent Inhibitory Synaptogenesis in Cerebellar Cultures, Brain Plasticity, June 2016, IOS Press,
DOI: 10.3233/bpl-160026.
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