title: Perineuronal nets in the auditory system.
abstract: Perineuronal nets (PNs) are a unique and complex meshwork of specific extracellular matrix molecules that ensheath a subset of neurons in many regions of the central nervous system (CNS). PNs appear late in development and are supposed to restrict synaptic plasticity and to stabilize functional neuronal connections. PNs were further hypothesized to create a charged milieu around the neurons and thus, might directly modulate synaptic activity. Although PNs were first described more than 120 years ago, their exact functions still remain elusive. The purpose of the present review is to propose the nuclei of the auditory system, which are highly enriched in PN-wearing neurons, as particularly suitable structures to study the functional significance of PNs. We provide a detailed description of the distribution of PNs from the cochlear nucleus to the auditory cortex considering distinct markers for detection of PNs. We further point to the suitability of specific auditory neurons to serve as promising model systems to study in detail the contribution of PNs to synaptic physiology and also more generally to the functionality of the brain.
authors.affiliation: Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Mandy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sonntag
authors.affiliation: Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Maren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blosa
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rübsamen
authors.affiliation: Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: morm@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morawski
mesh_terms: D053674:Aggrecans / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000378:metabolism; D017626:Cochlear Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007245:Inferior Colliculi / Q000378:metabolism; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D051670:Shaw Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D065832:Superior Olivary Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D053674:Aggrecans; D051670:Shaw Potassium Channels; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid