Neuromodulatory transmitter systems in the cortex and their role in cortical plasticity
Abstract
Cortical neuromodulatory transmitter systems refer to those classical neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and monoamines, which share a number of common features. For instance, their centers are located in subcortical regions and send long projection axons to innervate the cortex. The same transmitter can either excite or inhibit cortical neurons depending on the composition of postsynaptic transmitter receptor subtypes. The overall functions of these transmitters are believed to serve as chemical bases of arousal, attention and motivation. The anatomy and physiology of neuromodulatory transmitter systems and their innervations in the cerebral cortex have been well characterized. In addition, ample evidence is available indicating that neuromodulatory transmitters also play roles in development and plasticity of the cortex. In this article, the anatomical organization and physiological function of each of the following neuromodulatory transmitters, acetylcholine, noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine, and histamine, in the cortex will be described. The involvement of these transmitters in cortical plasticity will then be discussed. Available data suggest that neuromodulatory transmitters can modulate the excitability of cortical neurons, enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of cortical responses, and modify the threshold for activity-dependent synaptic modifications. Synaptic transmissions of these neuromodulatory transmitters are mediated via numerous subtype receptors, which…
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Neuromodulatory factors play a dual role in modulating postsynaptic responsiveness and synaptic plasticity.
“Neuromodulatory factors play a dual role in modulating postsynaptic responsiveness (e.g., through modulating in after-hyperpolarising currents) and synaptic plasticity [66],[67].”
From Hierarchical Models in the Brain (2008) · cites this paper as [67]
Ascending neuromodulatory neurotransmitter systems, such as dopaminergic and cholinergic projections, have exactly the right characteristics: they are driven by activity in presynaptic connections and can affect activity through classical neuromodulatory effects at the post-synaptic membrane, while also enabling potentiation of connection strengths.
“Happily, the ascending neuromodulatory neurotransmitter systems, such as dopaminergic and cholinergic projections, have exactly the right characteristics: they are driven by activity in presynaptic connections and can affect activity though classical neuromodulatory effects at the post-synaptic membrane [65], while also enabling potentiation of connection strengths [66],[67].”
From Hierarchical Models in the Brain (2008) · cites this paper as [67]
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- Authors
- Gu, Q.
- Affiliations
- University of British Columbia Hospital (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Gu, Q.
- ORCID
- Gu, Q.
- Venue
- Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2002-06
- Volume
- 111
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 815-835
- ISSN
- 0306-4522 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2009362065
- Cited by
- 518
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 21
- FWCI
- 2.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Keywords
- cortical plasticity, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, histamine, NMDA receptor, cortical excitability, signal-to-noise ratio, arousal, attention, motivation, cerebral cortex
- MeSH terms
- Acetylcholine, Animals, Cerebral Cortex, Dopamine, Histamine, Neuronal Plasticity, Norepinephrine, Serotonin, Neurotransmitter Agents
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