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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.
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...
Synaptic Signaling01:12

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.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
07:44

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

Synapse elimination in the central nervous system.

Masanobu Kano1, Kouichi Hashimoto

  • 1Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. mkano-tky@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|June 2, 2009
PubMed
Summary

During early development, the brain refines neural circuits by eliminating extra synapses. This study shows that specific neural activity patterns guide synapse elimination in the cerebellum and visual system.

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Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain
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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

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Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain
12:14

Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain

Published on: September 14, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • Neural circuit formation requires eliminating redundant synapses after initial overproduction.
  • In the neonatal mouse cerebellum, Purkinje cells initially receive multiple climbing fiber (CF) inputs.
  • Similar synapse elimination and strengthening occur in retinal projections to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the developmental process of synapse refinement in the cerebellum and LGN.
  • To understand the role of distinct neural activity patterns in driving synaptic remodeling during different developmental phases.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of synapse elimination in the developing mouse cerebellum and LGN.
  • Investigation of synaptic strength dynamics and elimination of weaker inputs.
  • Examination of the influence of neural activity on synaptic remodeling.

Main Results:

  • Synapse refinement involves multiple phases, with distinct activity patterns driving each phase.
  • In the cerebellum, one CF strengthens while others are eliminated during the second postnatal week.
  • Retinal projections to the LGN also exhibit input elimination and afferent strengthening.

Conclusions:

  • Synapse elimination and refinement are critical for functional neural circuit formation.
  • Distinct neural activity patterns orchestrate synapse refinement in a phase-dependent manner.
  • The cerebellum and LGN provide models for understanding activity-dependent synapse refinement during development.