title: Calcium and endocannabinoids in the modulation of inhibitory synaptic transmission.
abstract: Synapses in the central nervous system can be highly plastic devices, being able to modify their efficacy in relaying information in response to several factors. Calcium ions are often fundamental in triggering synaptic plasticity. Here, we will shortly review the effects induced by postsynaptic increases of calcium concentration at GABAergic and glycinergic synapses. Both postsynaptic and presynaptic mechanisms mediating changes in synaptic strength will be examined. Particular attention will be devoted to phenomena of retrograde signaling and, specifically, to the recently discovered role, played by the endocannabinoid system in retrograde synaptic modulation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Physiologie Cérébrale, CNRS UMR8118, 45, rue des Saints Pères 75006 Paris, France. marco.diana@univ-paris5.fr
authors.forename: Marco A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Diana
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bregestovski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D002118:Calcium