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Related Concept Videos

The Neuromuscular Junction01:19

The Neuromuscular Junction

The nervous system consists of complex motor neuron circuits, including upper motor neurons originating from the cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons starting in the spinal cord, coordinating both voluntary and involuntary movements. Among these, somatic motor neurons activate skeletal muscles and are classified into alpha, beta, and gamma types. Alpha neurons are vital for voluntary movement coordination, while gamma neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, and the function of beta...
Neurons: The Axon01:21

Neurons: The Axon

Axons are long, cytoplasmic processes of nerve cells capable of propagating electrical impulses known as action potentials. The cytoplasm or axoplasm of an axon contains neurofibrils, neurotubules, small vesicles, lysosomes, mitochondria, and various enzymes, all encased within the axolemma, the plasma membrane of the axon.
The axon attaches to the cell body at a cone-shaped elevation called the axon hillock. The initial part of the axon, closest to the hillock, is known as the initial segment.
Nervous Tissue: Myelin01:25

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

The myelin sheath is a multilayered lipid and protein covering that insulates the axon of a neuron, enhancing the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Axons without this sheath are referred to as unmyelinated. Two types of neuroglia, Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) are responsible for producing myelin sheaths.
Schwann cells begin to form myelin sheaths around axons during fetal development. They wrap around a small...
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.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Acute Dissociation of Lamprey Reticulospinal Axons to Enable Recording from the Release Face Membrane of Individual Functional Presynaptic Terminals
12:01

Acute Dissociation of Lamprey Reticulospinal Axons to Enable Recording from the Release Face Membrane of Individual Functional Presynaptic Terminals

Published on: October 1, 2014

The axo-myelinic synapse.

Peter K Stys1

  • 1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada. pstys@ucalgary.ca

Trends in Neurosciences
|July 12, 2011
PubMed
Summary

A novel axo-myelinic synapse may enable communication between axons and myelinating cells. This suggests dynamic myelin tuning, resource allocation, and implications for neurological diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Neurobiology

Background:

  • Myelination enhances nerve impulse transmission and axon packing.
  • Myelin was traditionally viewed as a passive insulator.
  • Axons possess neurotransmitter systems along their length.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a new type of chemical synapse between axons and myelin.
  • To explore the functional implications of this proposed axo-myelinic synapse.

Main Methods:

  • Hypothetical model based on existing literature.
  • Analysis of axonal and myelin properties.

Main Results:

  • Axons and myelin may form an activity-dependent communication system.

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Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures
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Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

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Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

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  • This synapse could allow for dynamic myelin sheath modulation.
  • It may facilitate resource allocation for myelin maintenance.

    • Conclusions:

    • A novel axo-myelinic synapse is hypothesized.
    • This synapse could enable bi-directional signaling between axon and myelin.
    • Dysfunction of this synapse may impact de- and dysmyelinating diseases.