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Synaptic Signaling

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.

Synaptic Signaling

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices

Published on: November 26, 2012

Synaptic plasticity and Ca2+ signalling in astrocytes.

Christian Henneberger¹, Dmitri A Rusakov

¹UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1N 2BG, UK. c.henneberger@ion.ucl.ac.uk

Neuron Glia Biology

|October 14, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Astrocyte calcium (Ca2+) signals influence brain synapse function. Further research using advanced in situ Ca2+ monitoring is needed to clarify the exact signaling pathways and their impact on synaptic transmission.

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Last Updated: May 3, 2026

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices

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Published on: November 26, 2012

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Imaging Intracellular Ca2+ Signals in Striatal Astrocytes from Adult Mice Using Genetically-encoded Calcium Indicators

Imaging Intracellular Ca2+ Signals in Striatal Astrocytes from Adult Mice Using Genetically-encoded Calcium Indicators

Published on: November 19, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular Biology
Astrocyte Biology

Background:

Growing evidence suggests a link between astrocyte calcium (Ca2+) signals and excitatory synapse function.
Disruptions in astrocyte Ca2+ homeostasis impact synaptic transmission and its activity-dependent plasticity.
Establishing a direct causal relationship between specific Ca2+ signals, astrocytic release mechanisms, and synaptic effects remains challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the functional relationship between astrocyte-derived Ca2+ signals and synaptic transmission.
To elucidate the role of astrocytic Ca2+ signaling in modulating excitatory synapse function.
To highlight the need for advanced Ca2+ monitoring techniques in astrocytes.

Main Methods:

Review of existing evidence on astrocyte Ca2+ signaling and synaptic transmission.
Discussion of challenges in establishing causal links.
Emphasis on the necessity of improved in situ Ca2+ monitoring techniques.

Main Results:

A functional connection between astrocyte Ca2+ dynamics and synaptic activity is supported by current data.
Astrocytic Ca2+ dysregulation demonstrably alters synaptic transmission.
The precise mechanisms linking specific Ca2+ signals to synaptic outcomes are not fully understood.

Conclusions:

A clear causal link between astrocyte Ca2+ signals and synaptic transmission requires further investigation.
Advanced in situ Ca2+ monitoring methods are crucial for deciphering astrocyte Ca2+ signaling cascades.
Resolving ambiguities in astrocyte Ca2+ signaling will advance our understanding of brain function.