Uncovering the Competitive Nature of Synaptic Pruning in Brain Development.

Researchers at Kyushu University have uncovered the mechanisms of synaptic pruning in brain development, using mouse mitral cells, a neuron type in the olfactory system. The study reveals that neurons receiving a neurotransmitter signal are protected via specific chemical pathways while other dendrites in the same cell are triggered to undergo pruning. The neurotransmitter glutamate is crucial in synaptic pruning. Understanding this process could help in comprehending neurophysiological disorders like schizophrenia and autism.