No diffusion barrier at axon hillock
Article Abstract:
The tight junction at the axon hillock of neurons was tested to see if it prevents diffusional mixing of membrane proteins and lipids. Results show that the junction does prevent lipid diffusion at the axonal hillock. Another test proved against a lipid diffusion barrier at the neuronal axon hillock. A segment of dendritic membrane of differentiated hippocampal neurons was labelled with fluorescent lipid DiI (C12). Findings show that the DiI label spread into the plasma membrane and lateral diffusion within the plasmalemma is caused by diffusion across the axon hillock.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Propagation of activity-dependent synaptic depression in simple neural networks
Article Abstract:
A retrograde spread of depression to synapses on the dendrites of the presynaptic neurons can be detected when long-term depression (LTD) is induced at glutamatergic synapses within small networks of cultured hippocampal neurons. There was no forward propagation of depression to output synapses of the postsynaptic neuron. It can be concluded that activity-induced synaptic changes within the neural network take place over a wide area but still occur selectively.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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Exciting neurotrophins
Article Abstract:
Kafitz and colleagues have shown that neurotrophins may cause membrane depolarization within a few milliseconds, resulting in the firing of an action potential. This suggests that neurotrophins can both modulate and mediate chemical transmission. They studied the hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum of juvenile rats, and observed the rapid depolarization caused by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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