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

De Neu: Asociación pacientes defectos ntransmisores

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Las asociaciones de pacientes realizan tareas de enorme interés. En el campo de las enfermedades raras, éstas parecen aún más necesarias. Se está creando una asociación de pacientes y familiares afectos de enfermedades de los neurotransmisores (errores congénitos del metabolismo de los neurotransmisores). Su nombre es: De Neu. Asociación De Enfermedades de los Neurotransmisores. Estas […]

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Glutamatergic receptor disorders in children

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What do you know about glutamatergic transmission? What kind of neuropaediatric disorders are related to glutamatergic receptor mutations? What kind of symptoms could be associated with abnormal glutamatergic transmission?     Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system and it plays a key role in long-term potentiation (LTP). LTP is involved […]

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Official launch of the CGB network

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“Connecting The Growing Brain” http://www.connectingthegrowingbrain.com. Network of paediatric neurologists and basic researchers that aims to understand the developing brain through synaptic communication. Today we are pleased to announce the official launch of the network “Connecting the growing brain” (CGB). We are a group of pediatric neurologists and basic researchers working together to understand how dysfunctions […]

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Abnormal Gabaergic transmission in Rett syndrome

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Neurons may remain immature concerning GABAergic neurotransmission in Rett syndrome Abnormal expression of cation chloride cotransporters has been found in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Rett syndrome (RTT). This finding suggest an abnormal GABaergic transmission and neuronal maturation.  According to these results, neurons of RTT patients could remain “immature” regarding GABA excitability, as it […]

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Interneuronas, GABA y enfermedades neuropediátricas

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What do you know about interneurons? Which processes do you think they regulate? How could dysfunction in interneurons and abnormal gabaergic transmission contribute to the pathophysiology of some neuropaediatric disorders? Interneurons were classically described as short-axon neurons with connections between “input” and “output” principal cells and were recognized for their role in modulating excitability via […]

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