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Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
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...
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...
Amyloid Fibrils03:03

Amyloid Fibrils

Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins.  Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils. 
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen.   In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...

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Updated: Jun 5, 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

White matter synapses: form, function, and dysfunction.

James J P Alix1, António Miguel de Jesus Domingues

  • 1Centre for Neuroscience, Division of Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK. j.alix@sheffield.ac.uk

Neurology
|January 26, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Glutamate neurotransmission occurs in white matter, enabling axon-glial communication. Dysregulation of this process contributes to neurological diseases like Alzheimer disease and schizophrenia.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular Biology
  • Neurobiology

Background:

  • Neural communication traditionally involves vesicular neurotransmitter release in gray matter.
  • Recent findings indicate synaptic-style glutamate release also occurs in white matter.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the emerging field of white matter synaptic transmission.
  • To highlight its role in axon-glial communication and disease.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes current research on white matter synaptic transmission.
  • Focuses on the role of glutamate as a neurotransmitter in this context.

Main Results:

  • Synaptic-style glutamate release facilitates high-fidelity communication between axons and glial cells in white matter.
  • This mechanism couples axonal activity to glial cell physiology.

Conclusions:

  • White matter synaptic transmission is a critical but underappreciated area of neuroscience.
  • Dysregulation of this pathway is implicated in diverse neurological disorders including stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer disease, and schizophrenia.