Neonatal anesthesia impairs synapsin 1 and synaptotagmin 1, two key regulators of synaptic vesicle docking and fusion

Early exposure to anesthetics may interfere with synaptic development and lead to cognitive deficits. We previously demonstrated a decrease in vesicles docked at and within 100 nm from the presynaptic membrane in hippocampal nerve terminals of neonatal rats after anesthesia. Hence, we designed this study to assess the effects of neonatal anesthesia on synapsin 1 (Syn1) and synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1), two key regulators of vesicle docking and fusion. To test the link between changes in Syn1 and Syt1 and behavioral deficits observed after neonatal anesthesia, we also assessed retention memory and fear conditioning in adolescent rats after neonatal anesthesia. Pups received a combination of clinical anesthetics, then Syn1 and Syt1 mRNA and protein expression were determined at the peak (postnatal day 8, P8), part-way through (P12) and end of synaptogenesis (P24) in the CA1-subiculum by qPCR and western blotting. Anesthesia decreased Syn1 and Syt1 mRNA expression at P8 (P
Source: NeuroReport - Category: Neurology Tags: CELLULAR, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE Source Type: research