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Related Concept Videos

Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
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.
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
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...
Neurons as Communicators of the Brain01:22

Neurons as Communicators of the Brain

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, function as the primary transmitters of information throughout the body. Their ability to communicate through electrical and chemical signals is vital for every bodily function, from regulating the heartbeat to processing complex thoughts. Each neuron has three main components: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon, each specialized to facilitate swift and efficient neural communication.
Cell Body
The cell body, also known...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings
10:24

Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings

Published on: January 10, 2015

Communication between neurones: Current concepts.

N N Osborne1

  • 1Nuffield Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6AW, U.K.

Neurochemistry International
|May 22, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Neurotransmitters, chemicals transmitting signals between neurons, may also be released non-synaptically. Some neurons might use multiple neurotransmitters, challenging traditional synaptic transmission concepts.

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Imaging Analysis of Neuron to Glia Interaction in Microfluidic Culture Platform (MCP)-based Neuronal Axon and Glia Co-culture System
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurochemistry
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Neurotransmitters are traditionally defined by their role in synaptic transmission.
  • The classical view posits a single neurotransmitter per neuron.
  • Understanding neurotransmission is fundamental to neuroscience.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore experimental evidence for non-synaptic neurotransmitter release.
  • To investigate the phenomenon of neurons utilizing multiple neurotransmitter substances.
  • To differentiate between the roles of neurotransmitters and modulators.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing experimental data on neurotransmitter release mechanisms.
  • Comparative analysis of neurochemical signaling pathways.
  • Literature review and conceptual discussion.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests neurotransmitters can be released outside of synapses.
  • Certain neurons demonstrate the capacity to employ more than one neurotransmitter.
  • Distinctions between neurotransmitter and modulator functions are explored.

Conclusions:

  • Neurotransmission may involve non-synaptic and multi-transmitter mechanisms.
  • The traditional definition of neurotransmitters may require expansion.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate complex neurotransmitter and modulator roles.