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Overview of Synapses

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...

Electrical Synapses

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...

Chemical Synapses

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 Synapses

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...

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...

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Published on: April 23, 2019

Synapsins: from synapse to network hyperexcitability and epilepsy.

Anna Fassio¹, Andrea Raimondi, Gabriele Lignani

¹Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology

|August 6, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Synapsins fine-tune neuronal network excitability and plasticity. Deficiencies in synapsins, particularly in mice, lead to severe epilepsy by disrupting synaptic vesicle cycling and presynaptic physiology.

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Last Updated: May 30, 2026

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

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Published on: April 23, 2019

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Published on: August 15, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Synapsins are a family of proteins crucial for regulating synaptic vesicle (SV) cycling and neuronal plasticity.
While not essential for basic neuronal function, synapsins play a key role in the fine-tuning of neural networks.
Mammals have at least 10 synapsin isoforms encoded by three genes, featuring conserved and variable domains.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current understanding of synapsin roles in regulating network excitability.
To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy in synapsin-deficient mice.
To explore the distinct functions of synapsins in excitatory versus inhibitory synapses.

Main Methods:

Analysis of synapsin knockout mouse models (single, double, triple).
Review of existing literature on synapsin function and epilepsy.
Investigation of presynaptic physiology in synapsin-deficient lines.

Main Results:

Synapsin deficiency, except for synapsin III, results in a severe epileptic phenotype in mice.
These epileptic phenotypes occur without significant alterations in brain morphology or connectivity.
Synapsins differentially impact excitatory and inhibitory synapses, affecting presynaptic physiology.

Conclusions:

Synapsins are critical for maintaining network excitability and preventing hyperexcitability.
Dysregulation of synapsin function contributes to the pathogenesis of epilepsy.
Understanding synapsin's distinct roles in synaptic transmission is key to deciphering epilepsy mechanisms.