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Integrated axon-synapse unit in the central nervous system

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Regional Anaesthesia Analgesia and Pain Management

Part of the book series: Topics in Anaesthesia and Critical Care ((TIACC))

Abstract

One of the most daunting questions in developmental neurobiology concerns the mechanisms which allow cohorts of neurons to develop the intricate, yet stereotypic pattern of connections in the adult nervous system: it has been estimated that 1011 neurons of human brain establish a network of 1014 synaptic contacts. We must consider, however, that most neurons are generally grouped into classes with a characteristic pattern of connectivity and this mere fact allows the wiring of complex neural networks to be controlled by the reiteration and diversification of a relatively small number of prototypic connection patterns. On the other hand, it is a matter of fact that axon projection to the corresponding targets, which is a key element in the assembly of the nervous system, links the early inductive interactions that establish neuronal identity to the later steps of synapse formation. It is worth remembering that in the last decade it has been demonstrated that the exocytic trafficking system, which is the heart of the synaptic machinery, represents one of the most fascinating examples of conservation of a complex biological system throughout evolution, from yeast to vertebrates [1]. Neurons extend axons and dendrites through an outstanding variety of environments using a specialized structure which each of them has at its end, the growth cone [2, 3]. Growth cones detect and respond to information from their immediate environment by extending filopodia and lamellae that are endowed with a panoplia of receptors.

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Authors
  1. A. Cestelli
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  2. G. Savettieri
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  3. I. Di Liegro
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    M. Tiengo MD (Professor Emeritus) (Professor Emeritus)

  2. Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy

    V. A. Paladini MD

  3. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden

    N. Rawal MD

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© 1999 Springer Verlag Italia, Milano

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Cestelli, A., Savettieri, G., Di Liegro, I. (1999). Integrated axon-synapse unit in the central nervous system. In: Tiengo, M., Paladini, V.A., Rawal, N. (eds) Regional Anaesthesia Analgesia and Pain Management. Topics in Anaesthesia and Critical Care. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2240-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2240-9_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-0044-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2240-9

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