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Meta-Potentiation: Neuro-Astroglial Interactions Supporting Perceptual Consciousness
Correspondence: (Login to view email address)
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)
- University of Marília
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- Document Type:
- Manuscript
- Date:
- Received 17 August 2007 19:13 UTC; Posted 20 August 2007
- Subjects:
- Neuroscience
- Abstract:
Conscious perceptual processing involves the sequential activation of cortical networks at several brain locations, and the onset of oscillatory synchrony affecting the same neuronal population. How do the earlier activated circuits sustain their excitation to synchronize with the later ones? We call such a sustaining process “meta-potentiation”, and propose that it depends on neuro-astroglial interactions. In our proposed model, attentional cholinergic and stimulus-related glutamatergic inputs to astroglia elicit the release of astroglial glutamate to bind with neuronal NMDA receptors containing the NR2B subunit. Once calcium channels are open, slow inward currents activate the CaM/CaMKII complex to phosphorylate AMPA receptors in a population of neurons connected with the astrocyte, thus amplifying the local excitatory pattern to participate in a larger synchronized assembly that supports consciousness.
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- This document is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License
- How to cite this document:
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Pereira Jr, Alfredo and Furlan, Fábio Augusto. Meta-Potentiation: Neuro-Astroglial Interactions Supporting Perceptual Consciousness. Available from Nature Precedings <http://hdl.handle.net/10101/npre.2007.760.1> (2007)
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