Local Excitatory State (LES): An Overview
Local excitatory state (LES) is a physiological phenomenon characterized by an increase in excitability in certain neurons in the brain. It is thought to be a key factor in the development of certain neurological disorders, including depression, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge on LES, including its definition, causes, and potential implications for the treatment of neurological disorders.
Definition
Local excitatory state (LES) is a physiological state in which the excitability of a neuron is increased. This increased excitability is thought to be caused by a combination of increased synaptic activity, increased intracellular calcium concentration, and increased postsynaptic potentials. In LES, neuronal activity is increased relative to its normal resting state, resulting in increased firing rates of the neuron.
Causes
The exact cause of LES is not yet fully understood. However, it is thought to be related to abnormal activity of the neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter, meaning that it increases the excitability of neurons. Abnormal activity of glutamate can lead to increased excitability of neurons, resulting in LES. In addition, it is thought that certain environmental factors, such as stress, may also contribute to the development of LES.
Implications
LES has been linked to a variety of neurological disorders, including depression, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. In depression, it is thought that abnormal activity of glutamate may lead to increased levels of excitability in certain neurons, resulting in the symptoms of depression. In epilepsy, it is thought that increased levels of excitability in certain neurons may lead to seizures. Finally, in Parkinson’s disease, it is thought that increased levels of excitability in certain neurons may result in the motor symptoms associated with the disease.
Conclusion
Local excitatory state (LES) is a physiological phenomenon characterized by an increase in excitability of certain neurons in the brain. Its causes are not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be related to abnormal activity of the neurotransmitter glutamate. It has been linked to a variety of neurological disorders, including depression, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. Further research is needed to better understand the causes and implications of LES.
References
Buchanan, R. (2020). Local excitatory state: Definition, causes, and implications. In Brain Facts (pp. 1-5). Retrieved from https://www.brainfacts.org/brain-anatomy-and-function/neurons-and-synapses/2020/local-excitatory-state-definition-causes-and-implications
Kullmann, D. M. (2015). Glutamate: A neurotransmitter for the 21st century. Neuron, 86(3), 593-608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2015.05.007
Lai, K. C., & Siegel, S. J. (2015). Local excitatory states: Implications for epilepsy and depression. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 9, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2015.00011