Brain neural circuits

Brain neural circuits are organized groups of interconnected neurons that communicate via synapses to perform specific physiological functions, ranging from basic reflexes to complex cognitive processes (NIH, 2023). These circuits are defined by their anatomical connectivity and the specific neurotransmitters used for signaling, such as glutamate for excitation and GABA for inhibition (Purves et al., 2018). In many neurological and psychiatric disorders, the underlying pathology is increasingly viewed as a circuitopathy, where the dysfunction of specific networks leads to clinical symptoms (Insel, 2010). For example, Parkinson's disease involves the disruption of motor circuits in the basal ganglia, while depression is associated with altered connectivity in the limbic system and prefrontal cortex (Mayberg, 2003). While traditional drugs target individual molecular receptors, their ultimate therapeutic goal is often the restoration of balanced activity within these larger neural circuits (Akil et al., 2010).

Other names

Neural networksNeuronal circuitsBrain circuitrySynaptic networksConnectome

Pharmacological modulation of specific neurotransmitter systems (e.g., glutamatergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic) to alter the firing rates and connectivity of interconnected neuronal populations.