This could unearth new insights into depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s.
Scientists have long known that nerve cells communicate with one another via synaptic transmission — a process in which information is carried between cells by neurotransmitters, like dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate. Then, receptors on the receiving neuron are activated, conveying either excitatory or inhibitory messages.
However, exactly how this critical aspect of brain function happens has remained more of a mystery.
Using an innovative technique, called single-molecule imaging, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have unveiled details about the architecture of this process. Their findings are reported in the journal Nature.
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"We are seeing things that have never been seen before. This is a totally new area of investigation," Thomas Blanpied, Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology, said in a press release.
"For many years, we've had a list of the many types of molecules that are found at synapses, but that didn't get us very far in understanding how these molecules fit together, or how the process really works structurally.”
Single-molecule imaging technology can locate and track the movement of individual protein molecules, even within the confines of single synapses between living cells. The team looked at cultured rat synapses, which closely resemble human synapses in terms of overall structure, and were able to identify a precise and unexpected pattern in the process of neurotransmission.
The researchers believe this new understanding of synapse architecture may go on to better explain how communication within the brain occurs, or on the other hand, how it fails to work in the case of psychiatric or neurological diseases.
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In fact, the researchers focused on the activity of “adhesion molecules,” which stretch between cells. If adhesion molecules are incorrectly placed at the synapse, then the neurotransmitters won’t be able to work properly.
When it comes to some brain disorders, researchers have long speculated that the brain may not have the right amount of neurotransmitters, but now, the UM team hypothesizes that it may be the synapses failing to transmit these molecules efficiently.
By understanding synaptic architecture, we may come to an improved understanding of brain diseases like depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s, according to the researchers.
Going forward, the team will explore whether the synaptic architecture changes in certain disorders, beginning with a mouse model of the pathology in schizophrenia.
You can check out the team’s video representation of the process below:
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