Chemical Communication Processes Involving Neurons: Vocabulary and Syntax

Butcher, Larry L.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-147850-6.50006-4

Cited by 45 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…A neuromodulator by any other name would function just as well. The recent explosion in the use of correlative histochemical and electrophysiologic methods to elucidate the functional significance of various chemicals thought to be important for information flow in the nervous system has created not only a wealth of new information concerning the ways in which neurons communicate with one another and with other tissue elements, but it has also generated data that urge re-examination of such time-honored formulations as the one-neuron, one-transmitter doctrine attributed to Sir Henry Dale (Butcher and Talbot 1978;Talbot 1978). Dismukes has highlighted some of these developments and their theoretical implications.…”

Section: By W* Dale Branton and Eari Hayerimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Substances involved in neuronal communciation processes can be analyzed along at least two dimensions (Butcher and Talbot 1978): 1) the distance between the locus of release and the site of action of the neurochemical (i.e., length of communication channel), and 2) the duration of its action. The term "neurotransmitter" has been reserved for naturally occurring chemicals with relatively short-acting effects at sites relatively close to the locus of release.…”

Section: By W* Dale Branton and Eari Hayerimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among these chemical compounds are prostaglandins and various neuropeptides (e.g., Substance P, enkephalins) that have longer durations of action, different chemical structures, or different sites of action than tfciose traditionally associated with neurotransmitters. In addition, substances for which a classic neurotransmitter role has been ascribed at certain places in the nervous system, such as acetylcholine and norepinephrine (see Butcher and Talbot 1978), may fall into this gray area at other neural loci. In this regard it is important to realize that the function of a given neurochemical cannot be divorced from the particular temporal and spatial matrix in which it is located.…”

Section: By W* Dale Branton and Eari Hayerimentioning

confidence: 99%

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New concepts of molecular communication among neurons

Dismukes

1979

Behav Brain Sci

150

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Recently a number of complex electrophysiological responses to neurotransmitters have been observed that cannot be described as simple excitation or inhibition. These responses are often characterized as modulatory, although there is no consensus on what defines modulation. Morphological studies reveal certain neurotransmitters stored in what might be release sites without synaptic contact. There is no direct evidence for nonsynaptic release from CNS sites, although such release does occur in the periphery and in invertebrates. Nonsynaptic release might provide a basis for diffuse one-cell-to-many communication, but it might also simply be a means of sending the transmitter to a broader area of a single neuron than occurs in typical synapses. Several kinds of macromolecules have been found to be transported in a retrograde direction – and in some cases transsynaptically. There have been suggestions that some neurons may release more than one type of transmitter. Particularly intriguing is the possibility of release of substances that modulate actions of a primary transmitter. Taken together this range of evidence suggests that neurons may use a variety of forms of molecular communication in addition to traditionally described synaptic transmission.Several authors have suggested modes of communication distinct from classical synaptic transmission and have classified released substances using terms such as neurohumor, neurohormone, neuroregulator, and modulator. These suggestions have the heuristic value of drawing together diverse kinds of data, but it remains to be established that the pieces fit together in that fashion – for example, that complex electrophysiological effects are associated with substances released nonsynaptically. In order to reduce confusion, a flexible, generic approach to nomenclature for substances released from neurons and for hypothetical modes of communication is recommended. Some behavioral implications of nonconventional transmission are considered.

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Section: By W* Dale Branton and Eari Hayerimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: By W* Dale Branton and Eari Hayerimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: By W* Dale Branton and Eari Hayerimentioning

confidence: 99%

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