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Seeking a function for spontaneous neurotransmission

Nature Neuroscience volume 9, pages 989–990 (2006)Cite this article

A recent study proposes that the random and spontaneous, NMDA receptor–dependent miniature postsynaptic currents at hippocampal synapses serve to regulate local postsynaptic protein synthesis, thereby stabilizing synaptic function.

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Figure 1: Block of resting NMDA receptor activity activates mRNA translation machinery and increases synaptic efficacy.

Katie Ris

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Basic Neuroscience and the Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, 75390-9111, Texas, USA

    ChiHye Chung & Ege T Kavalali

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  1. ChiHye Chung
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  2. Ege T Kavalali
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Chung, C., Kavalali, E. Seeking a function for spontaneous neurotransmission. Nat Neurosci 9, 989–990 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn0806-989

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