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Related Concept Videos

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...
Long-term Depression01:05

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over time, all...
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...
Long-term Potentiation01:35

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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Acyl-PEGyl Exchange Gel Shift Assay for Quantitative Determination of Palmitoylation of Brain Membrane Proteins
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Polysialic acid and activity-dependent synapse remodeling.

Luca Bonfanti1, Dionysia T Theodosis

  • 1Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.

Cell Adhesion & Migration
|April 18, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Polysialic acid (PSA), a post-translational modification of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM), is crucial for synaptic plasticity and neuronal-glial transformations in the nervous system. This review highlights PSA-NCAM

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Glycobiology

Background:

  • Polysialic acid (PSA) is a post-translational modification of the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM).
  • PSA-NCAM is abundant in the developing nervous system, regulating cell interactions, axonal growth, and innervation.
  • In the adult nervous system, restricted PSA-NCAM expression is linked to neuronal and glial plasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence on the role of PSA-NCAM in structural synaptic plasticity.
  • To explore its involvement in neuronal-glial transformations within neuroendocrine and olfactory systems.
  • To understand its contribution to activity-dependent synaptic remodeling.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature and evidence.
  • Focus on studies from hypothalamic neuroendocrine centers and the olfactory system.
  • Analysis of the functional impact of PSA-NCAM on synaptic structure and plasticity.

Main Results:

  • PSA-NCAM plays a key role in structural synaptic plasticity and associated neuronal-glial transformations.
  • It facilitates synapse formation and elimination under specific physiological conditions.
  • Evidence suggests PSA-NCAM is essential for activity-dependent synaptic remodeling.

Conclusions:

  • Polysialic acid (PSA) is a necessary molecular component for various cell transformations, including synaptic remodeling.
  • PSA-NCAM is implicated in dynamic changes in neuronal structure and function.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanism of action of PSA.