Glycobiological approach to understanding neural plasticity

Abstract

Neural plasticity is necessary for the expression and maintenance of higher brain functions. While most of the experimental approach to the plasticity still remains phenomenalism, analyses at the molecular level have gradually progressed, especially concerning synaptic plasticity. The analyses revealed that several carbohydrate structures play important roles in the synaptic plasticity. This review describes the roles of 5 of these species of carbohydrates. © 2007 FCCA.