Activity-Dependent Adaptations of Neuronal Secretory Vesicle Exocytosis
Brain cells adjust their release of signaling substances during activity
Our brains must constantly maintain a good balance: nerve cells must be sufficiently active to transmit information, but not so active that the network becomes disrupted. How brain cells maintain this balance is not yet fully understood. I studied how nerve cells adapt their communication when the activity in the network changes for a long time.
My research shows that nerve cells actively adapt their way of communicating when the activity in a brain network decreases for a long time. I found that vesicles containing neuromodulators – substances that affect the functioning of brain cells – accumulate and are released more easily once activity increases again. This release appears to be necessary to strengthen the communication between nerve cells and thus keep the network stable.
More information on the thesis to follow.