The Dopamine Synapse - David Sulzer

The Dopamine Synapse

David Sulzer PhD

Department of Neurology, Columbia University

Host: Jun Ding

Abstract

The chemical structure of dopamine, which is electroactive and can be derivatized to fluorescent analogs, has allowed its synaptic properties to be better characterized than other CNS synapses. These include the number of molecules released during synaptic vesicle fusion, their kinetics and quantal substructure, means to modulate quantal size, and the elucidation of differences between individual synapses within large populations. We will discuss amperometric and fluorescent false neurotransmitter measurements of presynaptic properties, and how dopamine release modulates synaptic plasticity by filtering specific corticostriatal synapses, a feature that may explain how convergence of behavior and the environment produce learning.