GABA through the ages: regulation of cortical function and plasticity by inhibitory interneurons.
Inhibitory interneurons comprise only about 20% of cortical neurons and thus constitute a clear minority compared to the vast number of excitatory projection neurons. They are, however, an influential minority with important roles in cortical maturation, function, and plasticity. In this paper, we will highlight the functional importance of cortical inhibition throughout brain development, starting with the embryonal formation of the cortex, proceeding by the regulation of sensory cortical plasticity in adulthood, and finishing with the GABA involvement in sensory information processing in old age.
Institut für Allgemeine Zoologie und Tierphysiologie, Universität Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany.
Konrad
K
Lehmann
André
A
Steinecke
Jürgen
J
Bolz
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007395:Interneurons / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D017603:Signal Detection, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology*
D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid