Norepinephrine: A neuromodulator that boosts the function of multiple cell types to optimize CNS performance

John O'Donnell, Douglas Zeppenfeld, Evan McConnell, Salvador Pena, Maiken Nedergaard

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

278 Scopus citations

Abstract

Norepinephrine (NE) is a neuromodulator that in multiple ways regulates the activity of neuronal and nonneuronal cells. NE participates in the rapid modulation of cortical circuits and cellular energy metabolism, and on a slower time scale in neuroplasticity and inflammation. Of the multiple sources of NE in the brain, the locus coeruleus (LC) plays a major role in noradrenergic signaling. Processes from the LC primarily release NE over widespread brain regions via non-junctional varicosities. We here review the actions of NE in astrocytes, microglial cells, and neurons based on the idea that the overarching effect of signaling from the LC is to maximize brain power, which is accomplished via an orchestrated cellular response involving most, if not all cell types in CNS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2496-2512
Number of pages17
JournalNeurochemical Research
Volume37
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2012

Keywords

  • Astrocyte
  • Glycogen
  • Inflammation
  • Microglia
  • Potassium
  • Synaptic scaling

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