Sensory neuron (conversion of excitatory to inhibitory phenotype)

The conversion of excitatory sensory neuron phenotypes into inhibitory ones refers primarily to a plasticity mechanism where certain spinal interneurons change their core neurotransmitter output following specific insults like spinal cord trauma. This shift alters neural circuit dynamics with significant implications for both disease progression and therapeutic intervention strategies. This involves a switch in neurotransmitter identity—whereby neurons that typically release excitatory neurotransmitters (like glutamate) begin expressing and releasing inhibitory neurotransmitters (such as GABA or glycine).

Other names

Excitatory to inhibitory phenotype conversion in sensory neuronsNeurotransmitter phenotype switching in spinal interneuronsvGlut2 to vGAT/GAD2 conversion

Modulation of neurotransmitter phenotype switching; e.g., preventing the excitatory to inhibitory conversion or promoting the reverse