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Inhibitory synapses turn exciting

Nature Neuroscience volume 8, pages 257–258 (2005)Cite this article

How activity-dependent synaptic plasticity shapes the development of inhibitory synapses has remained unclear. In this issue, Gillespie et al. show that in the developing rat auditory system, inhibitory synapses transiently co-release glutamate. The consequent activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors may be critical for the plasticity mechanisms that determine tonotopic sharpening.

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Figure 1: Anatomy of the mammalian auditory brainstem.

Ann Thompson

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  1. Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology, Brown University, MPPB Box G B4, Providence, 02192, Rhode Island, USA

    Julie A Kauer

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  1. Julie A Kauer
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Kauer, J. Inhibitory synapses turn exciting. Nat Neurosci 8, 257–258 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn0305-257

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