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Related Concept Videos

The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.
Overview of Synapses01:25

Overview of Synapses

A synapse is a specialized structure where two neurons connect, allowing them to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. It is the point of communication between neurons. The term "synapse" is derived from the Greek word "synapsis," which means "conjunction." The entire process of neural communication revolves around the synapse. When activated, a neuron releases chemicals known as neurotransmitters into the synapse. These neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind to...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...

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Glutamate Signaling and Neuroligin/Neurexin Adhesion Play Opposing Roles That Are Mediated by Major Histocompatibility Complex I Molecules in Cortical Synapse Formation.

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Altered brain metabolites in male nonhuman primate offspring exposed to maternal immune activation.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors
07:51

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

Published on: November 14, 2014

Dynamic aspects of CNS synapse formation.

A Kimberley McAllister1

  • 1Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA. kmcallister@ucdavis.edu

Annual Review of Neuroscience
|April 10, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Proper synapse formation in the central nervous system (CNS) is crucial for cognition. This review explores the dynamic cellular and molecular events guiding early glutamatergic synapse assembly in the mammalian CNS.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) relies on precisely formed neuronal circuits for proper function.
  • Synaptic connections, formed during development, are essential for cognition and their disruption is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the dynamic cellular and molecular events involved in the initial assembly of glutamatergic synapses in the mammalian CNS.
  • To address fundamental unanswered questions regarding the formation of these critical synaptic connections.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes recent research findings.
  • Focuses on the dynamic aspects of early cellular and molecular events.
  • Examines the initiation of glutamatergic synapse formation.

More Related Videos

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture
10:17

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture

Published on: August 2, 2019

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number
18:11

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Published on: November 16, 2010

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors
07:51

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

Published on: November 14, 2014

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture
10:17

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture

Published on: August 2, 2019

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number
18:11

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Published on: November 16, 2010

Main Results:

  • Recent work has identified early cellular events and molecular signals initiating synapse formation.
  • Fundamental questions about the "how, whether, and where" of glutamatergic synapse formation persist.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the dynamic assembly of glutamatergic synapses is key to comprehending normal brain function and neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms governing synapse formation in the mammalian CNS.