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Pleiotropic Effects of Neurotransmission during Development: Modulators of Modularity

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Abstract

The formation and function of the mammalian cerebral cortex relies on the complex interplay of a variety of genetic and environmental factors through protracted periods of gestational and postnatal development. Biogenic amine systems are important neuromodulators, both in the adult nervous system, and during critical epochs of brain development. Abnormalities in developmental programming likely contribute to developmental delays and multiple neurological and psychiatric disorders, often with symptom onset much later than the actual induction of pathology. We review several genetic and pharmacological models of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin modulation during development, each of which produces permanent changes in cerebral cortical structure and function. These models clearly illustrate the ability of these neurotransmitters to function beyond their classic roles and show their involvement in the development and modulation of fine brain circuitry that is sensitive to numerous effectors. Furthermore, these studies demonstrate the need to consider not only gene by environment interactions, but also gene by environment by developmental time interactions.

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Acknowledgments

Drs. Thompson and Stanwood currently receive support from NICHD core grant P30HD15052 (GDS), F32DA020981 (BLT) and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (GDS & BLT). We thank Dr. Pat Levitt for useful discussions, insightful comments, and partial financial support. We also thank Dr. Kathie Eagleson and Dr. Daniel Campbell for critical reading of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, 8114 MRBIII, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA

    Barbara L. Thompson

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 8405 MRBIV, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA

    Gregg D. Stanwood

  3. Center for Molecular Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, 8405 MRBIV, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA

    Gregg D. Stanwood

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  1. Barbara L. Thompson
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Correspondence to Gregg D. Stanwood.

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Thompson, B.L., Stanwood, G.D. Pleiotropic Effects of Neurotransmission during Development: Modulators of Modularity. J Autism Dev Disord 39, 260–268 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0624-0

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