RESEARCHERS – They discover that connections between neurons are more complex than we thought



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Spanish and French researchers have discovered that transfers between neurons are more complex than previously thought.

The research, published in the journal "eLife", has identified new types of glutamate receptors, a group of essential proteins that transmit nerve impulses from one neuron to another, redefining their classification, which has been considered 20 years

Work has shown that the family of ionotropic receptors (that is, ion channels) of glutamate comprises four subfamilies never described before and that instead of being organized in six classes currently recognized, there would be a dozen.

The researchers also showed their surprise, as they discovered that animals with a much simpler nervous system than humans have a greater diversity of glutamate receptors and in some cases even fewer numbers. larger receivers.

The results could have applications in the field of neuroscience and force the scientific community to redefine the current classification of neurotransmitters accepted for more than 20 years.

Because "it is insufficient and dominated by a too anthropocentric vision of the evolution", explained the researchers of the Sant Pau Hospital of Barcelona, ​​of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, of the University of Barcelona and the National Center for Scientific Research of France.

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