<p>As far as I know, it is not possible for a neuron to change which type of neurotransmitter it releases.  However, it is the case that the neurotransmitter GABA changes from excitatory to inhibitory over the course of development.  This is occurs because GABA activates Cl- (chloride) channels.  The chloride concentration gradient across the cell membrane changes directions over development, so the direction of current caused by opening of Cl- channels also changes.  </p>

<p>Nature Reviews Neuroscience 3, 728-739 (September 2002) | doi:10.1038/nrn920<br>
<strong>Excitatory actions of gaba during development: the nature of the nurture</strong><br>
Yehezkel Ben-Ari<br>
<a href="http://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/v3/n9/abs/nrn920.html">http://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/v3/n9/abs/nrn920.html</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-03T16:46:11.903Z
I think another interesting angle on this question is to consider artificial neural networks, whose weights definitely can change from positive (excitatory) to negative (inhibitory) with training (via Hebbian learning, delta rule, whatever). OP's question was very much concerned with neurotransmitters, which is why I'm not putting my comment as an answer, but, again, OP may find it useful to think about how this plays out in ANN's.
Russell Richie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-01T16:09:18.533Z
2016-05-01T16:09:18.533Z
honi
<p>According to <a href="https://cogsci.stackexchange.com/a/13833/11124">this</a> answer a neuron can release only specific type of neurotransmitters at the time, however, could it change over time? For example a neuron that now releases only inhibitory neurotransmitters, after a few days will turn into a neuron releasing only excitatory neurotransmitters. If it is possible, then what does it depend on (mathematical models appreciated)?</p>

<neuroscience><theoretical-neuroscience><neurophysiology>
Can neuron change from excitatory to inhibitory (and vice versa) over time?
alagris
# Can neuron change from excitatory to inhibitory (and vice versa) over time?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-30)

According to [this](https://cogsci.stackexchange.com/a/13833/11124) answer a neuron can release only specific type of neurotransmitters at the time, however, could it change over time? For example a neuron that now releases only inhibitory neurotransmitters, after a few days will turn into a neuron releasing only excitatory neurotransmitters. If it is possible, then what does it depend on (mathematical models appreciated)?

**Tags:** neuroscience, theoretical-neuroscience, neurophysiology


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-05-01. Score: 12 | Accepted answer

As far as I know, it is not possible for a neuron to change which type of neurotransmitter it releases. However, it is the case that the neurotransmitter GABA changes from excitatory to inhibitory over the course of development. This is occurs because GABA activates Cl- (chloride) channels. The chloride concentration gradient across the cell membrane changes directions over development, so the direction of current caused by opening of Cl- channels also changes.

Nature Reviews Neuroscience 3, 728-739 (September 2002) | doi:10.1038/nrn920  
**Excitatory actions of gaba during development: the nature of the nurture**  
Yehezkel Ben-Ari  
<http://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/v3/n9/abs/nrn920.html>

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I think another interesting angle on this question is to consider artificial neural networks, whose weights definitely can change from positive (excitatory) to negative (inhibitory) with training (via Hebbian learning, delta rule, whatever). OP's question was very much concerned with neurotransmitters, which is why I'm not putting my comment as an answer, but, again, OP may find it useful to think about how this plays out in ANN's.  

---

