Pruning at the cerebellar climbing fibre synapse: synaptic efficacy and glial involvement

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Ingo Bechmann; Professor Dr. Jens-Karl Eilers
• Subject Area: Developmental Neurobiology ; Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2015 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 264195377

Pruning, the elimination of excess synapses, is a phenomenon of pivotal importance for a correct wiring of the central nervous system. Although evidence for disturbed pruning being causative for human neurological and psychiatric diseases remains rather indirect, there is ample evidence from animal experiments that undisturbed pruning is mandatory for normal brain development and neuronal plasticity. The temporal profile of pruning occurring in various brain regions early in development is well studied. However, the molecular processes occurring during pruning at the synapses remain poorly understood. It is unclear whether pruning occurs in mutual agreement between the pre- and postsynaptic partners or whether one side enforces its decision on the other, which, in response, may succumb or fight against its elimination. Also specific roles of glia cells in pruning remain to be established. In this project, we plan to address these questions in cerebellar climbing fibre-to-Purkinje cell synapses using a combination of electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry methods.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants