谷氨酸能沉默突触在视觉发育神经元可塑性中的作用

突触是神经环路中相邻神经元之间进行信息传递的点状接触区域，是神经可塑性变化的敏感部位，其中仅具有突触结构，在正常情况下不产生生理功能的突触称为沉默突触。沉默突触转化为功能性突触在神经可塑性巾具有重要作用，包括突触在形态和功能上的改变，长时程增强和长时程抑制是主要的表现模式。目前研究发现，沉默突触包括谷氨酸能沉默突触和γ-氨基丁酸能沉默突触。当前弱视发病神经机制研究的热点和前沿是视觉可塑性的研究，而后者是通过突触的修饰过程形成的。深入研究沉默突触，特别是谷氨酸能沉默突触在视觉发育过程中的作用，对于儿童弱视的治疗具有一定的临床指导意义。就近年来视觉发育可塑性中谷氨酸能沉默突触作用的研究进展进行综述。

Role of glutamate-mediated silent synapses in visual plasticity

Synapse is punctiform contact area between close neuron for information transfer in nerve circuit, which is sensitive site in nerve plasticity. Silent synapses is defined as only with the construction but without physiologic function. It can be transformed into functionality synapses and therefore play an important role in neuron plasticity,including the changes of morphous and function of synapse. Long-term potentiating and long-term depression are the main pattern of change. Now two types of silent synapse have been found,including glutamate receptor-mediated synapse and gamma amino butyric acid （GABA）-ergic synapse. The study on the role of silent synapses, especially the glutamate receptor-synapse, is proved to be of clinical value in the treatment of children amblyopia eye. The concept of silent synapses, function of glutamate, the relationship of plasticity of visual system and silent synapse were reviewed in this paper.