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Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
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.
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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3D Modeling of Dendritic Spines with Synaptic Plasticity
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Published on: May 18, 2020

Synapse geometry and receptor dynamics modulate synaptic strength.

Dominik Freche1, Ulrike Pannasch, Nathalie Rouach

  • 1Department of Mathematics and Department of Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.

Plos One
|October 11, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synaptic transmission is intrinsically unreliable due to vesicle release variability and receptor distribution. Computational modeling reveals how synapse geometry and receptor trafficking influence synaptic strength and plasticity.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Computational Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Synaptic transmission involves vesicle release, receptor dynamics, and synapse organization.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for comprehending neural circuit function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a computational model of fast AMPA-receptor mediated synaptic current.
  • To investigate the impact of release site location, receptor distribution, and trafficking on synaptic transmission reliability and plasticity.

Main Methods:

  • Computational modeling of excitatory synaptic current.
  • Analysis of experimental data from CA1 mice hippocampal slices.
  • Comparison of miniature EPSC (mEPSC) and evoked EPSC (eEPSC) variance.

Main Results:

  • Synapses exhibit intrinsic unreliability due to variations in release location and AMPA receptor (AMPAR) distribution.
  • Synaptic current is maximal when the active zone is apposed to the postsynaptic density (PSD).
  • Receptor trafficking and perisynaptic microdomains significantly modulate synaptic strength and depression.

Conclusions:

  • Synaptic geometry, PSD organization, and perisynaptic microdomains are key regulators of synaptic strength.
  • These factors play a critical role in the mechanisms underlying long-term synaptic plasticity.