GABA excitation in the adult brain: a mechanism for excitation- neurogenesis coupling.
The production of new neurons in the adult hippocampus is exquisitely regulated, and alterations in this process may underlie both normal and pathological hippocampal function. In this issue of Neuron, Tozuka et al. describe electrophysiological recordings that target proliferating progenitor cells in adult mouse hippocampal slices. They report that GABAergic synaptic inputs directly depolarize the proliferating progenitors, thereby activating molecular players that favor neuronal differentiation and providing a mechanism for direct excitation-neurogenesis coupling in vivo.
Deisseroth
Karl
K
Department of Bioengineering and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.
Malenka
Robert C
RC
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid