A role for retinoic acid in homeostatic plasticity

Neuron. 2008 Oct 23;60(2):192-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.10.003.

Abstract

Prolonged changes in neuronal activity trigger compensatory modifications in synaptic function to restore firing rates to normal levels. In this issue of Neuron, Aoto et al. demonstrate that synthesis of retinoic acid offsets chronic network inactivity by increasing synaptic strength through upregulation of GluR1 receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Homeostasis / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Nerve Net / metabolism
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*
  • Tretinoin / physiology*

Substances

  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Tretinoin
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 1