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Astrocyte and Neuronal Plasticity in the Somatosensory System
Joint Authors
Parri, H. Rheinallt
Sims, Robert E.
Butcher, John B.
Glazewski, Stanislaw
Source
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-12, 12 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-08-04
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
12
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Changing the whisker complement on a rodent’s snout can lead to two forms of experience-dependent plasticity (EDP) in the neurons of the barrel cortex, where whiskers are somatotopically represented.
One form, termed coding plasticity, concerns changes in synaptic transmission and connectivity between neurons.
This is thought to underlie learning and memory processes and so adaptation to a changing environment.
The second, called homeostatic plasticity, serves to maintain a restricted dynamic range of neuronal activity thus preventing its saturation or total downregulation.
Current explanatory models of cortical EDP are almost exclusively neurocentric.
However, in recent years, increasing evidence has emerged on the role of astrocytes in brain function, including plasticity.
Indeed, astrocytes appear as necessary partners of neurons at the core of the mechanisms of coding and homeostatic plasticity recorded in neurons.
In addition to neuronal plasticity, several different forms of astrocytic plasticity have recently been discovered.
They extend from changes in receptor expression and dynamic changes in morphology to alteration in gliotransmitter release.
It is however unclear how astrocytic plasticity contributes to the neuronal EDP.
Here, we review the known and possible roles for astrocytes in the barrel cortex, including its plasticity.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Sims, Robert E.& Butcher, John B.& Parri, H. Rheinallt& Glazewski, Stanislaw. 2015. Astrocyte and Neuronal Plasticity in the Somatosensory System. Neural Plasticity،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1075401
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Sims, Robert E.…[et al.]. Astrocyte and Neuronal Plasticity in the Somatosensory System. Neural Plasticity No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1075401
American Medical Association (AMA)
Sims, Robert E.& Butcher, John B.& Parri, H. Rheinallt& Glazewski, Stanislaw. Astrocyte and Neuronal Plasticity in the Somatosensory System. Neural Plasticity. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1075401
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1075401