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Related Concept Videos

Classification of Neurotransmitters01:30

Classification of Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the communication between neurons in the autonomic nervous system. Neurons in the autonomic nervous system can be cholinergic or adrenergic depending on the neurotransmitters synthesized. Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter. This includes all the preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic and pre- and postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous systems. In addition, neurons of the somatic nervous system also use...
The Neuromuscular Junction01:19

The Neuromuscular Junction

The nervous system consists of complex motor neuron circuits, including upper motor neurons originating from the cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons starting in the spinal cord, coordinating both voluntary and involuntary movements. Among these, somatic motor neurons activate skeletal muscles and are classified into alpha, beta, and gamma types. Alpha neurons are vital for voluntary movement coordination, while gamma neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, and the function of beta...
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade01:29

Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade

The site of chemical communication between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber is called the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The end of the motor neuron at the NMJ divides into a cluster of synaptic end bulbs. The cytoplasm of these bulbs consists of synaptic vesicles enclosing acetylcholine molecules, the principal neurotransmitter released at the NMJ. The region opposite the synaptic bulb that ends in the muscle fiber is called the motor end plate, which has acetylcholine receptors. Within the...
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action01:26

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...
Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission01:27

Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Postganglionic sympathetic fibers (except those supplying the sweat glands) releasing noradrenaline or norepinephrine are called noradrenergic or adrenergic neurons. Noradrenaline, dopamine, adrenaline, or epinephrine are collectively called "catecholamines" as they contain a catechol moiety and an amine side chain. The five stages of neurotransmitter release involve their synthesis, storage, release, reuptake and metabolism.
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which is taken...
Neurotransmitters01:30

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the communication between neurons in the autonomic nervous system. Neurons in the autonomic nervous system can be cholinergic or adrenergic depending on the neurotransmitters synthesized. Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter. This includes all the preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic and pre- and postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous systems. In addition, neurons of the somatic nervous system also use...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Efficient Differentiation of Postganglionic Sympathetic Neurons using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells under Feeder-free and Chemically Defined Culture Conditions
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Efficient Differentiation of Postganglionic Sympathetic Neurons using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells under Feeder-free and Chemically Defined Culture Conditions

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Non-synaptic transmission at autonomic neuroeffector junctions.

Geoffrey Burnstock1

  • 1Autonomic Neuroscience Centre, Royal Free and University College School of Medicine, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom. g.burnstock@ucl.ac.uk

Neurochemistry International
|May 12, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Autonomic nerves use non-synaptic transmission, releasing transmitters

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Research

Background:

  • Autonomic neuroeffector junctions typically exhibit non-synaptic transmission.
  • Understanding the structural and functional characteristics of these junctions is crucial for comprehending autonomic control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the structure and function of the autonomic neuromuscular junction.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of neurotransmitter release and action in non-synaptic transmission.
  • To explore the role of non-synaptic transmission in various cell types.

Main Methods:

  • Structural analysis of autonomic nerve fibers and effector cells.
  • Investigation of neurotransmitter release mechanisms ('en passage').
  • Examination of receptor localization and cotransmission phenomena.

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The Neuromuscular Junction: Measuring Synapse Size, Fragmentation and Changes in Synaptic Protein Density Using Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy
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The Neuromuscular Junction: Measuring Synapse Size, Fragmentation and Changes in Synaptic Protein Density Using Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: December 26, 2014

Physiological Recordings of High and Low Output NMJs on the Crayfish Leg Extensor Muscle
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Physiological Recordings of High and Low Output NMJs on the Crayfish Leg Extensor Muscle

Published on: November 17, 2010

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Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Efficient Differentiation of Postganglionic Sympathetic Neurons using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells under Feeder-free and Chemically Defined Culture Conditions
10:24

Efficient Differentiation of Postganglionic Sympathetic Neurons using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells under Feeder-free and Chemically Defined Culture Conditions

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The Neuromuscular Junction: Measuring Synapse Size, Fragmentation and Changes in Synaptic Protein Density Using Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy
12:18

The Neuromuscular Junction: Measuring Synapse Size, Fragmentation and Changes in Synaptic Protein Density Using Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: December 26, 2014

Physiological Recordings of High and Low Output NMJs on the Crayfish Leg Extensor Muscle
10:00

Physiological Recordings of High and Low Output NMJs on the Crayfish Leg Extensor Muscle

Published on: November 17, 2010

Main Results:

  • Autonomic nerve terminals are varicose and release transmitters 'en passage'.
  • Effector cells lack specialized post-junctional structures but exhibit localized neurotransmitter receptors.
  • Autonomic nerves utilize multiple transmitters, often with synergistic cotransmission, and neuromodulation influences release.

Conclusions:

  • Non-synaptic transmission is a key feature of autonomic neuroeffector junctions.
  • Autonomic neural control extends to immune, epithelial, and endothelial cells via non-synaptic mechanisms.