title: Deep molecular diversity of mammalian synapses: why it matters and how to measure it.
abstract: Pioneering studies in the middle of the twentieth century revealed substantial diversity among mammalian chemical synapses and led to a widely accepted classification of synapse type on the basis of neurotransmitter molecule identity. Subsequently, powerful new physiological, genetic and structural methods have enabled the discovery of much deeper functional and molecular diversity within each traditional neurotransmitter type. Today, this deep diversity continues to pose both daunting challenges and exciting new opportunities for neuroscience. Our growing understanding of deep synapse diversity may transform how we think about and study neural circuit development, structure and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Beckman Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California                 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: Nicholas C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Weiler
authors.forename: Kristina D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Micheva
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D040901:Proteomics; D013569:Synapses / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission