Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators

Question 1

What in development does neurotransmitters regulate, before synapse formation?

Answer 1

Proliferation of neuronal progenitors, migration, differentiation

Question 2

What does neurotransmitters regulate after synapse formation?

Answer 2

Synaptogenesis and synapse maturation

Question 3

What are the two most common forms of extrasynaptic neurotransmission during development?

Answer 3

Neurotransmitters can be released from vesicles or transported over a membrane via a transporter.

Question 4

What neurotransmitter receptors are present in early development?

Answer 4

Both GABA and glutamate receptors are present already in progenitor cells

Question 5

What is the function of GABA?

Answer 5

It is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS

Question 6

What is the function of glutamate?

Answer 6

It is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS

Question 7

What is the function of glutamate and GABA during early development?

Answer 7

They help guide cell migration and proliferation

Question 8

What is tagenital migration?

Answer 8

Migration of neurons within a layer (side to side)

Question 9

What is radial migration?

Answer 9

Migration of neurons between layers (up-down)

Question 10

What is the function of taurine in the brain?

Answer 10

Osmoregulation (it binds a lot of water, and this is transported with it) and neuromodulation (it can activate multiple different receptors)

Question 11

What is the main receptor, that taurin activates during development?

Answer 11

GABA receptors (it is substituting GABA)

Question 12

Where are most serotonergic neurons located?

Answer 12

The rapha

Question 13

What is the function of serotonin in early development?

Answer 13

It functions as a neuroprotectant, decreasing apoptosis at very early developmental stages

Question 14

What is the function of serotonin in later development?

Answer 14

It is important for the branching of thalamic neurons

Question 15

Where are dopaminergic neurons located in the brain?

Answer 15

The substantia nigra

Question 16

What are the main receptors for dopamine?

Answer 16

D1 → stimulating
D2 → inhibitory

Question 17

How does dopamine affect cell proliferation during development?

Answer 17

Depending on the receptor (D1-like or D2-like), it can either promote progenitor proliferation or differentiation

Question 18

What cellular processes does dopamine affect?

Answer 18

Proliferation, migration, dendritic development and pruning

Question 19

What are the main receptors for acetylcholine?

Answer 19

Nicatinic receptors (nAcRs), muscarinic receptors

Question 20

In what developmental process does acetylcholine play an important role?

Answer 20

Activity dependent development

Question 21

How does neurotransmitters often function in early development?

Answer 21

Through paracrine transmission, similar to growth factors

Question 22

What neurotransmitters are involved in proliferation, migration and developing neurons?

Answer 22

Glutamate, GABA, serotonin and dopamine

Question 23

What is the basal forebrain cholinergic system?

Answer 23

The acetylcholine signalling system in the basal area of the forebrain.

Question 24

What is the function of dopamine in brain development during adolescense?

Answer 24

It regulates pruning