title: Electrical activity and development of neural circuits.
abstract: A distinct feature of the nervous system is the intricate network of synaptic connections among neurons of diverse phenotypes. Although initial connections are formed largely through molecular mechanisms that depend on intrinsic developmental programs, spontaneous and experience-driven electrical activities in the developing brain exert critical epigenetic influence on synaptic maturation and refinement of neural circuits. Selective findings discussed here illustrate some of our current understanding of the effects of electrical activity on circuit development and highlight areas that await further study.
authors.affiliation: Keck Center of Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143-0732, USA.
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Poo
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000235:genetics*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors