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Synaptic Elimination in Neurological Disorders
- Source :
- Current Neuropharmacology
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Bentham Science Publishers Ltd., 2019.
-
Abstract
- Synapses are well known as the main structures responsible for transmitting information through the release and recognition of neurotransmitters by pre- and post-synaptic neurons. These structures are widely formed and eliminated throughout the whole lifespan via processes termed synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning, respectively. Whilst the first process is needed for ensuring proper connectivity between brain regions and also with the periphery, the second phenomenon is important for their refinement by eliminating weaker and unnecessary synapses and, at the same time, maintaining and favoring the stronger ones, thus ensuring proper synaptic transmission. It is well-known that synaptic elimination is modulated by neuronal activity. However, only recently the role of the classical complement cascade in promoting this phenomenon has been demonstrated. Specifically, microglial cells recognize activated complement component 3 (C3) bound to synapses targeted for elimination, triggering their engulfment. As this is a highly relevant process for adequate neuronal functioning, disruptions or exacerbations in synaptic pruning could lead to severe circuitry alterations that could underlie neuropathological alterations typical of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we focus on discussing the possible involvement of excessive synaptic elimination in Alzheimer’s disease, as it has already been reported dendritic spine loss in post-synaptic neurons, increased association of complement proteins with its synapses and, hence, augmented microglia-mediated pruning in animal models of this disorder. In addition, we briefly discuss how this phenomenon could be related to other neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
Multiple Sclerosis
Dendritic spine
Synaptic pruning
Synaptogenesis
microglia
Neurotransmission
Biology
complement cascade
Article
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Synaptic elimination
Alzheimer Disease
medicine
Animals
Humans
Premovement neuronal activity
Pharmacology (medical)
Complement Activation
Pharmacology
synaptic plasticity
Neuronal Plasticity
Microglia
alzheimer’s disease
General Medicine
medicine.disease
schizophrenia
Psychiatry and Mental health
030104 developmental biology
medicine.anatomical_structure
Neurology
Schizophrenia
Synaptic plasticity
Neurology (clinical)
Neuroscience
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1570159X
- Volume :
- 17
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Current Neuropharmacology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....72ef7d6c7aad5cd60f1528cee25a9cd7