Abstract
During brain development, transmitter-gated receptors are operative before synapse formation, suggesting that their action is not restricted to synaptic transmission. GABA, which is the principal excitatory transmitter in the developing brain, acts as an epigenetic factor to control processes including cell proliferation, neuroblast migration and dendritic maturation. These effects appear to be mediated through a paracrine, diffuse, non-synaptic mode of action that precedes the more focused, rapid mode of operation characteristic of synaptic connections. This sequential operation implies that GABA is used as an informative agent but in a unique context at an early developmental stage. This sequence also implies that by altering these effects, drugs acting on the GABA system could be pathogenic during pregnancy.
Keywords
NeuroscienceBiologyNeurotransmissionExcitatory synapseContext (archaeology)SynapseExcitatory postsynaptic potentialInhibitory postsynaptic potentialReceptorGenetics
MeSH Terms
AnimalsBrainCell DifferentiationCell ProliferationNeural InhibitionNeuronsSynapsesgamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Affiliated Institutions
Related Publications
The Developmental Switch in GABA Polarity Is Delayed in Fragile X Mice
Delays in synaptic and neuronal development in the cortex are key hallmarks of fragile X syndrome, a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder that causes intellectual disability an...
GABA: A Pioneer Transmitter That Excites Immature Neurons and Generates Primitive Oscillations
Developing networks follow common rules to shift from silent cells to coactive networks that operate via thousands of synapses. This review deals with some of these rules and in...
Is there more to gaba than synaptic inhibition?
In the mature brain, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) functions primarily as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. But it can also act as a trophic factor during nervous system developm...
Timing of the Developmental Switch in GABA<sub>A</sub> Mediated Signaling from Excitation to Inhibition in CA3 Rat Hippocampus Using Gramicidin Perforated Patch and Extracellular Recordings
Summary: The timing of the developmental switch in the GABA A mediated responses from excitatory to inhibitory was studied in Wistar rat CA3 hippocampal pyramidal cells using gr...
GABA Itself Promotes the Developmental Switch of Neuronal GABAergic Responses from Excitation to Inhibition
GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain. Early in development, however, GABAergic synaptic transmission is excitatory and can exert widespread trophic ef...
Publication Info
- Year
- 2005
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 278-283
- Citations
- 440
- Access
- Closed
External Links
Social Impact
Altmetric
PlumX Metrics
Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions
Citation Metrics
440
OpenAlex
12
Influential
372
CrossRef
Cite This
Alfonso Represa,
Yehezkel Ben‐Ari
(2005).
Trophic actions of GABA on neuronal development.
Trends in Neurosciences
, 28
(6)
, 278-283.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2005.03.010
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.tins.2005.03.010
- PMID
- 15927682