Lecture 4 : Development of Neural Circuits

Question 1

where in the CNS can I find Glutamatergic and GABAergic cells?

Answer 1

all throughout the brain

Question 2

Neurogenesis of excitatory(glutamatergic) neurons in the neocortex ends around….

Answer 2

27 post-conceptional weeks(7 months of pregnancy)

Question 3

Inhibitory(GABAergic) neurons are also generated during the same period, but additional neurogenesis of GABAergic neurons in the neocortex occurs……

Answer 3

after 27 post-conceptional weeks extending even postnatally in some instances

Question 4

Neurotransmitters are produced during the early stages of neuronal differentiation and development, but their peak happens at…..

Answer 4

2 years old

Question 5

rate-limiting enzyme

Answer 5

is like a “traffic controller” in a series of chemical reactions in your body. It controls how fast the entire process happens.

Question 6

Glutamate: precursor? rate limiting enzyme? Packed into vesicles by? Receptors?

Answer 6

Glutamine

Glutaminase

Vesicular glutamate transporter(VGLUT)

NMDA, AMPA, kainate

Question 7

GABA: precursor? rate limiting enzyme? Packed into vesicles by? Receptors?

Answer 7

Glutamate / Glucose

Glutamic acid decarboxylase

Vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT)

GABA, A,B,C

Question 8

SN1 and SAT2=

Answer 8

glutamine transporters

Question 9

what is the avaerage chemical concentration of neurotransmitters inside a vesicle ?

Answer 9

100mm

Question 10

VGLUT

Answer 10

found mostly in neurons of the neocortex and cerebellum

Question 11

VGLUT2

Answer 11

found broadly across the cortex and subcortical areas

Question 12

VGLUT3

Answer 12

found more often in the posterior midbrain and hindbrain areas

Question 13

AMPA vs NMDA receptors

Answer 13

NMDA have much higher affinity( binding being stronger) for glutamate than AMPA and can be activated by a lower concentration of the transmitter.

*one NMDA molecule requres 2 glutamate molecules to be activated *

Question 14

The BLANK can trigger synpatogensis and its one of the essences of “learning”

Answer 14

over activation of NMDA-R

Question 15

During early life, a huge number BLANK, they do have low expression of AMPA-R

Answer 15

synpases are “silent” (they do not respond to stimuli)

Question 16

esketamine

Answer 16

-block NMDAR in GABAergic neurons

• increase extracellular glutamate and activation of AMPA receptors

-mTOR is activated and stimulate brain derived neurotropic factor (BNDF) production

Question 17

General charcteristics of GABAergic neurons

Answer 17

1.) short axons-interneurons

2.) form synapses mostly in the soma of the postsynaptic cell

3.) Fire action potentials at relatively high firing frequencies

4.) Very often have very small “somas”