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Related Concept Videos

Long-term Potentiation01:25

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 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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Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

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...
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...
Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking
10:34

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking

Published on: January 28, 2019

Fast AMPAR trafficking for a high-frequency synaptic transmission.

Daniel Choquet1

  • 1Laboratory of cell Physiology of the synapse, CNRS, UMR 5091, Bordeaux, France. dchoquet@u-bordeaux2.fr

The European Journal of Neuroscience
|July 22, 2010
PubMed
Summary

AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) are not static but constantly traffic in and out of synapses. This dynamic movement, including lateral diffusion within the postsynaptic density, influences synaptic transmission and plasticity.

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Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking
10:34

A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking

Published on: January 28, 2019

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology
10:52

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
07:08

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:

  • Transmembrane proteins, including AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs), were previously thought to be stable in the postsynaptic density.
  • Recent evidence suggests AMPARs undergo continuous trafficking via endo/exocytosis and lateral diffusion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the activity-dependent properties of AMPAR surface trafficking.
  • To explore the role of AMPAR trafficking in setting receptor numbers and tuning synaptic transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent experimental results.
  • Analysis of AMPAR trafficking mechanisms (endo/exocytosis, lateral diffusion).

Main Results:

  • AMPARs are not stable but dynamically traffic in and out of synapses.
  • Both membrane recycling and surface trafficking contribute to AMPAR exchange at synapses.
  • High-speed lateral diffusion of AMPARs within the postsynaptic density can influence short-term plasticity and synaptic transmission.

Conclusions:

  • AMPAR trafficking is a dynamic process crucial for synaptic function.
  • Surface trafficking and lateral diffusion play significant roles in regulating synaptic AMPAR content and synaptic transmission.
  • Understanding AMPAR trafficking is key to comprehending synaptic plasticity and fast synaptic transmission.