Functional Convergence of Neurons Generated in the Developing and Adult Hippocampus
2006
New Brain Cells in Mice Work Like Old Ones
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Diego Laplagne, Alejandro Schinder
Hypothesis
Do adult-born dentate granule cells become functionally similar to pup-born cells?
Conclusion
Adult-born and pup-born dentate granule cells function in fundamentally the same way.
Supporting Evidence
- Adult-born dentate granule cells and pup-born cells showed similar excitatory postsynaptic currents.
- Both cell types exhibited identical short-term plasticity in response to paired-pulse stimulation.
- Inhibitory postsynaptic currents were similar in amplitude and kinetics for both cell types.
- Spiking probability was indistinguishable between adult-born and pup-born dentate granule cells.
Takeaway
Scientists found that new brain cells made in adult mice work just like the ones made when they were babies, which is good news for brain repair.
Methodology
The researchers used retroviruses to label adult-born and pup-born dentate granule cells with different fluorescent proteins and compared their electrophysiological properties.
Participant Demographics
Mice of various ages were used in the study.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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