title: Neuronal chloride and excitability - the big impact of small changes.
abstract: Synaptic inhibition is a critical regulator of neuronal excitability, and in the mature brain the majority of synaptic inhibition is mediated by Cl--permeable GABAAreceptors. Unlike other physiologically relevant ions, Cl-is dynamically regulated, and alterations in the Cl-gradient can have significant impact on neuronal excitability. Due to changes in the neuronal Cl-concentration, GABAergic transmission can bidirectionally regulate the induction of excitatory synaptic plasticity and gate the closing of the critical period for monocular deprivation in visual cortex. GABAergic circuitry can also provide a powerful restraining mechanism for the spread of excitation, however Cl-extrusion mechanisms can become overwhelmed and GABA can paradoxically contribute to pathological excitation such as the propagation of seizure activity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiology, Department of Human Biology and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Joseph V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Raimondo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada.
authors.forename: Blake A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada. Electronic address: m.woodin@utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Melanie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Woodin
mesh_terms: D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A