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Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...

Chemical Synapses

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 Synapses

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...

Integration of Synaptic Events

Integration of Synaptic Events

Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking

Published on: January 28, 2019

Surface mobility of postsynaptic AMPARs tunes synaptic transmission.

Martin Heine¹, Laurent Groc, Renato Frischknecht

¹CNRS, UMR 5091, Université Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|April 12, 2008

Summary

Fast synaptic depression recovery involves AMPA receptor (AMPAR) lateral diffusion. This receptor exchange mechanism allows functional AMPARs to replace desensitized ones, improving synaptic transmission fidelity.

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking

Published on: January 28, 2019

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Published on: April 23, 2019

Fast Micro-iontophoresis of Glutamate and GABA: A Useful Tool to Investigate Synaptic Integration

Fast Micro-iontophoresis of Glutamate and GABA: A Useful Tool to Investigate Synaptic Integration

Published on: July 31, 2013

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Synaptic Plasticity
Molecular Biology

Background:

Fast excitatory synaptic transmission relies on AMPA glutamate receptors (AMPARs).
Synaptic depression occurs with rapid, consecutive stimulation, impacting neuronal communication.
Previous models attributed recovery solely to transmitter release or receptor desensitization.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of AMPAR lateral diffusion in synaptic depression recovery.
To determine if receptor mobility influences the dynamics of synaptic transmission.

Main Methods:

Observed AMPAR lateral diffusion in intact hippocampi and cultured neurons.
Utilized cross-linking, endogenous clustering, and calcium rise to inhibit AMPAR surface movement.
Measured recovery from synaptic depression over tens of milliseconds.

Main Results:

AMPAR lateral diffusion facilitates the exchange of desensitized receptors with functional ones at the postsynaptic density.
This receptor exchange partially explains recovery from synaptic depression in the tens of milliseconds range.
Inhibiting AMPAR mobility significantly slowed recovery from synaptic depression.

Conclusions:

AMPAR lateral diffusion is a key mechanism contributing to fast recovery from synaptic depression.
Regulation of postsynaptic AMPAR mobility dynamically shapes synaptic response frequency dependence.
Receptor mobility is a critical physiological factor influencing synaptic transmission fidelity.