Neurotransmitter release consists of rapid synchronous release followed by longer-lasting asynchronous release (AR). Although the presynaptic proteins that trigger synchronous release are well understood, the mechanisms for AR remain unclear. AR is sustained by low concentrations of intracellular Ca and Sr, suggesting the involvement of sensors with high affinities for both ions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAuditory brainstem neurons in the lateral superior olive (LSO) receive excitatory input from the ipsilateral cochlear nucleus (CN) and inhibitory transmission from the contralateral CN via the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). This circuit enables sound localization using interaural level differences. Early studies have observed an additional inhibitory input originating from the ipsilateral side.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSustained neuronal activity demands a rapid resupply of synaptic vesicles to maintain reliable synaptic transmission. Such vesicle replenishment is accelerated by submicromolar presynaptic Ca signals by an as-yet unidentified high-affinity Ca sensor. Here we identify synaptotagmin-3 (SYT3) as that presynaptic high-affinity Ca sensor, which drives vesicle replenishment and short-term synaptic plasticity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiagnosis and treatment of neurosurgical pathology present unique challenges in underserved areas, and many conditions may go undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or untreated for prolonged periods. The development of an unusual complication, seemingly unrelated to an area of neurosurgical intervention, may be particularly perplexing to non-neurosurgical providers, particularly in areas where neurosurgical procedures have not historically been available. A 44-year-old male presented with a giant meningioma which was successfully resected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAstrocytes and oligodendrocytes in different brain regions form panglial networks and the topography of such networks can correlate with neuronal topography and function. Astrocyte-oligodendrocyte networks in the lateral superior olive (LSO)-an auditory brainstem nucleus-were found to be anisotropic with a preferred orientation orthogonally to the tonotopic axis. We hypothesized that such a specialization might be present in other tonotopically organized brainstem nuclei, too.
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