Can diffuse extrasynaptic signaling form a guiding template?
Brain functions such as information processing, learning and memory are commonly associated with changes in synaptic strength, the synaptic plasticity. Extrasynaptic diffusion of transmitters thought to mediate only a modulatory effect. Here I suggest a hypothesis that concentration profile of signaling molecules in the extracellular space can form a "diffuse guiding template" for signal propagation through neuronal network. Such template can be potentially involved in information processing and storage. This hypothesis requires further experimental investigation and, thus, provides a framework for future studies in the field of non-synaptic transmission in the brain.
Semyanov
Alexey
A
RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Neuronal Circuit Mechanisms Research Group, Semyanov Research Unit, Japan. semyanov@brain.riken.jp
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*