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Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of specific...
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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...
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Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission01:23

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number
18:11

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Published on: November 16, 2010

GLIA modulates synaptic transmission.

Gertrudis Perea1, Alfonso Araque

  • 1Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid 28002, Spain.

Brain Research Reviews
|November 10, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Glial cells, particularly astrocytes, are now understood as active participants in nervous system function. They engage in bidirectional signaling with neurons, influencing synaptic activity and information processing in the brain.

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Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals
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Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates
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Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number
18:11

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Published on: November 16, 2010

Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals
08:38

Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals

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Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates
12:47

Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates

Published on: March 20, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular Biology
  • Neurophysiology

Background:

  • The traditional view of glial cells as passive support structures for neurons is outdated.
  • Emerging evidence highlights the active role of glial cells in nervous system physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the dynamic role of astrocytes in synaptic function and nervous system information processing.
  • To update the understanding of intercellular communication within the central nervous system (CNS).

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the stimulation of astrocytes by neurotransmitters.
  • Analyzed the role of astrocyte calcium (Ca2+) levels in gliotransmitter release.
  • Examined the impact of gliotransmitters on synaptic efficacy and plasticity.

Main Results:

  • Astrocytes are stimulated by synaptically released neurotransmitters, leading to increased intracellular Ca2+.
  • This astrocyte activation triggers the release of gliotransmitters.
  • Gliotransmitters modulate synaptic efficacy and plasticity, indicating bidirectional neuron-astrocyte communication.

Conclusions:

  • Astrocytes are integral components of synaptic physiology, actively participating in information processing, transfer, and storage.
  • Bidirectional signaling between neurons and astrocytes is crucial for overall brain function.
  • The revised understanding includes astrocytes as key players in intercellular signaling within the CNS.