Synaptic metabolism

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Highly specialized synaptic metabolism depends not only on its specific anatomy but also on its main functions. In other words, we could say that the synapse has distinctive metabolic pathways that depend on the chemical composition of cellular microenvironments. This is related to localization and the particular characteristics of critical organelles such as neurotransmitter vesicles, synaptic mitochondria, cell membranes and receptors. Specific amino acids, proteins, lipids, regulation of calcium homeostasis, and energy metabolism including mitocondrial function are crucial elements that define possible synaptic metabolic pathways. 

The synapse is very rich in lipids that compose the vesicles where neurotransmitters are stored. Pre and post-synaptic membranes differ in lipid composition and include diverse intrinsic and extrinsic proteins. Glia is also very important to the regulation of glycolitic pathways, lactate and glutamate metabolism among other functions.

lipid_bilayerGreat variety of lipids

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Neuron-astrocyte communication

Although it has not been reported in detail in the literature, it would be tempting to define major synaptic metabolic pathways by the different synaptic anatomic sites. In particular, the metabolic pathways of amino acids, biogenic amines, lipids, purines, neuropeptides, synaptic receptors, as well as energy metabolism should be considered in detail. All of them are interconnected and compose what we could call the global “synaptic metabolism”.

In this section you will find information about how this synaptic metabolism could be defined and how it is affected by different neuropaediatric disorders including  inborn errors of metabolism.

24 posts published about Synaptic metabolism

Mitochondrial disorders: impaired neurotransmission and seizures

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Seizure are frequent symptoms of inborn errors of metabolism. In particular, 26–60% of all mitochondrial disorders occur with epilepsy, and 169 genetic mutations affected mitochondrial function have been associated to seizures. Dr. Zsurka and Dr. S Kunz from Bonn University, Germany, proposed an accurate review, recently published in the journal Lancet Neurology, of the relationship […]

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B-Debate “Connecting the Growing Brain”

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“Connecting the growing brain” is a workshop that belong to the B-Debate series. It will take place in November 26 and 27 at the Science Museum of Barcelona. Clinicians and researchers from different countries in Europe and from the USA will meet  to discuss about mechanisms of neurotransmission and synaptic communication in neuropaediatric disorders. We […]

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Los protones también son neurotransmisores

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Investigaciones recientes llevadas a cabo por Du y colaboradores, muestran que los protones cumplen criterios para ser considerados neurotransmisores. Éstos son liberados desde la neurona presináptica y activan un tipo especial de receptores post-sinápticos, los canales iónicos sensibles al medio ácido, o ASICs (acidsensing ion channels). Se trata de canales permeables al Na+ y al Ca2+ que son activados por la acidosis extracelular.

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Epilepsia y metabolismo sináptico

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Los conocimientos que la neurociencia básica y el neurometabolismo están aportando a la epilepsia pediátrica son rápidamente crecientes. Estos avances son especialmente notables en el área específica de los mecanismos de comunicación sináptica. Existe, no obstante, una desconexión entre estos avances y una visión que los integre de manera global y en la práctica clínico-terapéutica. […]

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