Activity-dependent regulation of synaptic strength and neuronal excitability in central auditory pathways

Date

2006

Authors

Walmsley, Bruce
Berntson Eichner, Amy
Leao, Richardson
Fyffe, Robert E W

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Abstract

Neural activity plays an important role in regulating synaptic strength and neuronal membrane properties. Attempts to establish guiding rules for activity-dependent neuronal changes have led to such concepts as homeostasis of cellular activity and Hebbian reinforcement of synaptic strength. However, it is clear that there are diverse effects resulting from activity changes, and that these changes depend on the experimental preparation, and the developmental stage of the neural circuits under study. In addition, most experimental evidence on activity-dependent regulation comes from reduced preparations such as neuronal cultures. This review highlights recent results from studies of the intact mammalian auditory system, where changes in activity have been shown to produce alterations in synaptic and membrane properties at the level of individual neurons, and changes in network properties, including the formation of tonotopic maps.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: acoustic nerve fiber; auditory nervous system; brain stem; excitatory postsynaptic potential; hearing impairment; homeostasis; hyperpolarization; nerve cell excitability; neuroanatomy; nonhuman; priority journal; review; synaptic membrane; synaptic potent

Citation

Source

Journal of Physiology

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2037-12-31