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Related Concept Videos

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.
Synaptic Signaling01:09

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...
Synaptic Signaling01:12

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.
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...
Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)01:32

Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

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An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins
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An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins

Published on: June 26, 2018

Neuronal activity drives matching of pre- and postsynaptic function during synapse maturation.

Louise Kay1, Lawrence Humphreys, Britta J Eickholt

  • 1MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK.

Nature Neuroscience
|May 3, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Synapses in rat hippocampal neurons structurally align early but functionally match later. This functional matching of presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments requires ongoing electrical activity.

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Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient
08:30

Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient

Published on: September 17, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • Presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments in neurons exhibit significant structural and functional variations.
  • Understanding the functional arrangement of these compartments is crucial for comprehending neural circuit function.
  • Existing knowledge on the dynamic functional matching of synapses is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional maturation and matching of presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments in developing neurons.
  • To determine the timeline of functional synapse maturation relative to structural correlation.
  • To elucidate the role of electrical activity in synapse functional matching.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized rat hippocampal neurons for experimental observation.
  • Analyzed the structural correlation of synaptic compartments from their initial formation.
  • Monitored the gradual process of functional matching between synapses.
  • Investigated the dependence of this functional matching on ongoing electrical activity.

Main Results:

  • Synapses in rat hippocampal neurons show structural correlation from the early stages of development.
  • Functional matching between presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments occurs gradually over time.
  • The process of functional synapse maturation is critically dependent on sustained electrical activity.

Conclusions:

  • Synaptic structure and function do not mature in lockstep; functional congruence develops post-structurally.
  • Electrical activity is a key regulator of synapse functional maturation.
  • These findings provide insights into the activity-dependent development of neural connectivity.