While all neurons are able to transmit electrical impulses for rapid communication, there is a large degree of specialization among neurons with respect to morphology, location, and gene expression. Intricate neural networks are often composed of many different neuronal subtypes to achieve complex outputs.
Neuronal markers are characteristic proteins that allow researchers to distinguish between the many neuron subtypes of the nervous system. Antibodies against neuronal markers are essential tools for understanding the architecture and development of the nervous system, the interactions of different neuronal subtypes within it, and the roles of neuronal subtypes in neurological conditions.
![Immunofluorescence - Anti-NeuN Antibody [1B7] (A85405)](https://cdn.antibodies.com/image/category/primaries/cell-markers/Neuronal_IHC_Pan-A85405.jpg)
Pan-neuronal markers are markers that are expressed across all or most neuronal subtypes due to their importance for fundamental roles in neuronal function such as synaptic transmission. The choice of pan-neuronal marker will center on the aims of the experiment, because different markers will highlight different morphological features, including the nucleus, axon or synapses.
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are progenitor cells in the central nervous system that can differentiate into neurons and glia, and they play a critical role in neurogenesis and potential regenerative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. In adults, NSCs are primarily found in the subventricular zone and the hippocampus in humans. Neural stem cell markers distinguish NSCs from the mature cells that surround them in the brain, and are useful for tracking the migration and differentiation.
Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine (ACh) as their neurotransmitter. ACh in the spinal cord controls motor output, while in the basal forebrain it is important for cognition. ACh is also the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the peripheral and enteric nervous systems. A change in the number of cholinergic neurons in the forebrain is an early hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dopaminergic neurons produce and release dopamine, a neurotransmitter essential for regulating reward, motivation, pleasure, and motor control. These neurons are found in the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain, as well as subsets of neurons in the olfactory bulb. Degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra is the primary cause of Parkinson’s disease, resulting in the classic motor deficits of the condition.
GABAergic neurons release gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. These neurons are widely distributed throughout the brain and spinal cord, including as interneurons in the cerebral cortex, and are important for balancing neuronal excitability. Dysfunction in GABAergic signaling is implicated in various neurological disorders, including epilepsy, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
![Immunofluorescence - Anti-NMDAR1 Antibody [ARC0684] (A308794)](https://cdn.antibodies.com/image/category/primaries/cell-markers/Neuronal_IHC_Glutamatergic-A90888.jpg)
Glutamatergic neurons release glutamate, the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, which is essential for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Like GABA neurons, glutamatergic neurons are found throughout the brain, particularly in the cortex and hippocampus. Dysregulation of glutamatergic transmission is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, as well as conditions like epilepsy and schizophrenia.
Interneuron markers are a useful tool for studying the orchestration of neural networks by cortical interneurons. Cortical interneurons are typically inhibitory (GABAergic), though they can be further subclassified based on their morphology, connectivity and expression profiles. Interneurons regulate neuronal activity in the cortex, contributing to processes such as learning, memory and cognition.