title: Synaptic transmission: functional autapses in the cortex.
abstract: Autapses--synapses made by a neuron onto itself--have often been observed anatomically in vivo, but their purpose has remained uncertain. A recent paper describes functional autapses in the cerebral cortex and gives clues to their physiological role.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bekkers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid