Maintenance

Cellular maintenance
The fundamental aspects of cellular maintenance implicate gene expression programs, using
continuous activity of transcription factors and cellular survival, ensured by trophic factors
(neurotrophins).
Axonal integrity is maintained by specific mechanisms. The axonal transport maintains
the axon scaffold. Thus, inhibition axon degeneration in mice. The polarity of the neurons is also
maintained, which is shown culturing neurons (D.M. Yin, 2008). Also, the synapses require
maintenance, depending on their contact with each other at the neuromuscular junction.
The recurrent theme is the suppression of sprouting of individual neuronal processes.
Inhibition of the synaptic transmission causes a growth of sprouts, an attempt of the neuron to
re-establish the original connection.

Architecture maintenance
Interactions with the cellular environment are also important, according analysis of neuron-glia
interactions. Glia are involved in myelin formation, providing fast conduction of signalling over
axons. Also, appropriate concentrations of neurotransmitters and ions are assigned to the glia.
Schwann cells are highly involved in survival of axons in the peripheral nervous system (Claire
Bénard, 2009)

Homeostasis
The adaptive characteristics of the nervous system pose advantages, but also significant
challenges. Therefore, mechanisms that keep network stability are very important. For instance,
homeostatic plasticity is the ability of neurons to reduce network activity between the target
physiological limit, after changes of synaptic or intrinsic activity. This results in a proper balance
between flexibility and stability.
The general homeostasis of neurons is generally categorized into four specific
mechanisms. Firstly, the intrinsic excitability of the neuron (or, electrical excitability). The
number and distribution of the ion channels and receptors, involved in the electrical properties
and depolarization potential, are determinants for this. Second, the synaptic efficacy through
synaptic scaling, where a negative-feedback mechanism causes a reduced overall action firing
rate. Also, the release of presynaptic neurotransmitters is a homeostatic control. The last case
involves network activity through the regulations of inhibitory synapses. (Jun Yin, 2015)

Bibliography
Claire Bénard, O. H. (2009). Looking Beyond Development: Maintaining Nervous System Architecture.
Current topics in development biology, 175-194.

D.M. Yin, Y. H. (2008). Both the establishment and maintenance of neural polarity require the activity
of protein kinase D in the Golgi apparatus. J. Neurosi.

Jun Yin, Q. Y. (2015). Structural homeostasis in the nerouvs system: a balancing act for wiring
plasticity and stability. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience.