New Mouse Hippocampal Cells Born in Pups and Adults Function Similarly
Author Information
Author(s): Laplagne Diego A, Espósito M. Soledad, Piatti Verónica C, Morgenstern Nicolás A, Zhao Chunmei, van Praag Henriette, Gage Fred H, Schinder Alejandro F
Primary Institution: Fundación Instituto Leloir, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hypothesis
Do neurons generated in the developing and adult hippocampus have similar functional properties?
Conclusion
Adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus generates neurons with striking functional similarity to neurons born during development.
Supporting Evidence
- Adult-born neurons can fire action potentials in response to an excitatory drive.
- DGCs generated in the developing and adult hippocampus display a remarkably similar afferent connectivity.
- Both glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs to DGCs are similar regardless of the age of the neurons.
Takeaway
The study shows that new brain cells made in adult mice work just like those made when they were babies.
Methodology
Neurons were labeled using retroviruses and their synaptic inputs were studied through electrophysiological recordings.
Limitations
The study does not address the identity and specific location of presynaptic neurons or the effects of other neurotransmitters.
Participant Demographics
C57Bl/6J mice, both male and female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0002
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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