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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Primary Culture of Mouse Dopaminergic Neurons
Published on: September 8, 2014
Chemical transmission between dopaminergic neuron pairs
Marie Vandecasteele1, Jacques Glowinski, Jean-Michel Deniau
1Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 75005, France.
Abstract:
Midbrain dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons play a major regulatory role in in goal-directed behavior and reinforcement learning. DAergic neuron activity, and therefore spatiotemporal properties of dopamine release, precisely encodes reward signals. Neuronal activity is shaped both by external afferences and local interactions (chemical and electrical transmissions). Numerous hints suggest the existence of chemical interactions between DAergic neurons, but direct evidence and characterization are still lacking. Here, we show, using dual patch-clamp recordings in rat brain slices, a widespread bidirectional chemical transmission between DAergic neuron pairs. Hyperpolarizing postsynaptic potentials were partially mediated by D2-like receptors, and entirely resulted from the inhibition of the hyperpolarization-activated depolarizing current (Ih). These results constitute the first evidence in paired recordings of a chemical transmission relying on conductance decrease in mammals. In addition, we show that chemical transmission and electrical synapses frequently coexist within the same neuron pair and dynamically interact to shape DAergic neuron activity.
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The Synapse
Synaptic Signaling
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...
Synaptic Signaling

