Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 5 May 1989:
Vol. 244. no. 4904, pp. 585 - 587
DOI: 10.1126/science.2717942
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Science, Vol 244, Issue 4904, 585-587
Copyright © 1989 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Synaptic connections in vitro: modulation of number and efficacy by electrical activity

PG Nelson, C Yu, RD Fields, and EA Neale

Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892.

The functional architecture of synaptic circuits is determined to a crucial degree by the patterns of electrical activity that occur during development. Studies with an in vitro preparation of mammalian sensory neurons projecting to ventral spinal cord neurons slow that electrical activity induces competitive processes that regulate synaptic efficacy so as to favor activated pathways over inactive convergent pathways. At the same time, electrical activity initiates noncompetitive processes that increase the number of axonal connections between these sensory and spinal cord neurons.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Membrane Properties Underlying Patterns of GABA-Dependent Action Potentials in Developing Mouse Hypothalamic Neurons.
Y.-F. Wang, X.-B. Gao, and A. N. van den Pol (2001)
J Neurophysiol 86, 1252-1265
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Spike Frequency Decoding and Autonomous Activation of Ca2+-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons.
F. Eshete and R. D. Fields (2001)
J. Neurosci. 21, 6694-6705
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
GABA, Not Glutamate, a Primary Transmitter Driving Action Potentials in Developing Hypothalamic Neurons.
X.-B. Gao and A. N. Van Den Pol (2001)
J Neurophysiol 85, 425-434
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Synaptic Control of Motoneuronal Excitability.
J. C. Rekling, G. D. Funk, D. A. Bayliss, X.-W. Dong, and J. L. Feldman (2000)
Physiol Rev 80, 767-852
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Intrinsic Dynamics in Neuronal Networks. II. Experiment.
P. E. Latham, B. J. Richmond, S. Nirenberg, and P. G. Nelson (2000)
J Neurophysiol 83, 828-835
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Activity-dependent synaptic competition in vitro: heterosynaptic suppression of developing synapses.
Y. Lo and M. Poo (1991)
Science 254, 1019-1022
   Abstract »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)