FIG. 1

The schematic illustrates how transient synaptic events induced by external stimuli can exert longer-lasting effects on neuronal excitability and the microstructure of the brain via a cascade of effects involving alterations in gene transcription. Neurotransmitters activate receptors and second messenger systems, which then induce immediate early genes (IEGs) such as c-fos and c-jun. Fos and Jun proteins are synthesized on the endoplasmic reticulum and then bind to DNA to further alter transcription of late effector genes (LEGs) and other regulatory factors, the effects of which could last for months or years.

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published 2000