REVIEW: Neuronal Exosomes as a New Signaling System

---

Alexander A. Yakovlev^1,2

¹Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485 Moscow, Russia

²Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, 115419 Moscow, Russia

Received November 7, 2022; Revised March 1, 2023; Accepted March 1, 2023

---

Number of studies devoted to investigation of neuronal exosomes increases significantly each year. Potential of exosomes as diagnostic markers of neurodegenerative diseases has been examined thoroughly and similar protocols were used to search for the markers of other psychiatric disorders. Biogenesis of exosomes in various types of cells has been studied, physiological role of exosomes has been actively investigated, and many features of their signaling cascades have been clarified. The accumulated data indicate important role of the exosome signaling in interneuronal communication. Do we have enough grounds to recognize exosomes as new non-canonical neurotransmitters in the brain? In this review we discuss this issue and present a concept on the possible role of brain exosomes as a new signaling system to the scientific community.

---

KEY WORDS: exosomes, extracellular vesicles, neurons, depolarization, calcium, small GTPases Rab, SNARE complex

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297923040028

---