Electrical activity is the basic feature of neurons, but scientists recently discovered that this property is not static. Studies have shown that an increase or decrease in the activity of interneurons will lead to changes in the molecular level, and ultimately accelerate or delay the discharge of cells. Related papers were published in the journal Science on September 10. "So far, we have always believed that the identities and attributes of neurons are mainly determined by genetic methods. Once the identities of neurons are determined, they will remain unchanged. Let us comment." "This study provides strong evidence. , Proving that the basic characteristics of adult brain neurons are actually controlled by activity-dependent mechanisms."
Interneurons is the main function of interneurons. Is to form a connection. Most interneurons are inhibitory (inhibit the firing of other neurons), but inhibitory interneurons also include many subtypes. Oscar Marin, head of research at King’s College London, said: “This is a huge group of different people.” He and his colleagues studied FSPV basket cells, a kind of basket cells that express small albumin quickly. , It plays an important role in the learning process.
Mars explained that FSPV cells continue to divide into several subtypes, some of which emit rapidly, while others show a significant delay. The researchers found that in the mouse cerebral cortex, the transcription factor Er81 was expressed at high levels in delayed-stimulated FSPV cells, while Er81 was expressed very low in rapidly-stimulated cells. Later, when they created transgenic mice lacking Er81, FSPV cells did not show delayed activation, and the Kv1.1 potassium channel that mediates delayed activation was also significantly reduced.
"The study also showed that Er81 interacts with the promoter region of the Kv1.1 gene to directly regulate the expression of this channel. Further studies have shown that the transcription factor Er81 is necessary to establish and maintain electrophysiological properties. The adult cerebral cortex regulates Er81 levels in an activity-dependent manner.
Through drugs and training to enhance the activity of interneurons, it reduces the proportion of Er81-positive cells in the cerebral cortex, and reduces the number of cells that are delayed. Reducing the activity of interneurons has the opposite effect. The researchers pointed out that the neuron characteristics of the adult mouse cerebral cortex are dynamically changing. This will have an important impact on NeuroConnect Mix.
"Neural connectivity aims to understand neural mechanisms through neuron connections." This type of research usually assumes that neurons have fixed identities and functions. I will. Ma Lin believes that researchers need to consider the variability of neuron characteristics.