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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...
Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

Integration of Synaptic Events

Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...
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...

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Contribution of the Na+/K+ Pump to Rhythmic Bursting, Explored with Modeling and Dynamic Clamp Analyses
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Contribution of the Na+/K+ Pump to Rhythmic Bursting, Explored with Modeling and Dynamic Clamp Analyses

Published on: May 9, 2021

Bursts modify electrical synaptic strength.

Julie S Haas1, Carole E Landisman

  • 1Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, 52 Oxford St. NWL 202, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. julie.haas@gmail.com

Brain Research
|July 10, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers investigated activity-dependent plasticity at electrical synapses in the thalamic reticular nucleus. They discovered a novel form of long-term depression, suggesting widespread mechanisms for synaptic strength modification in the brain.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Synaptic Plasticity
  • Electrical Synapses

Background:

  • Chemical synapse plasticity is well-studied, but electrical synapse plasticity remains largely unexplored.
  • The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) utilizes electrical synapses and is crucial for attention, sleep spindles, and arousal state transitions.
  • Activity-dependent plasticity of TRN electrical synapses may underlie these critical brain functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between natural neuronal activity and the strength of electrical synapses.
  • To demonstrate a novel form of activity-dependent plasticity at electrical synapses within the TRN.
  • To explore the broader implications of electrical synapse plasticity in the mammalian brain.

Main Methods:

  • Focused on electrical synapses within the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN).
  • Investigated activity-dependent changes in synaptic strength.
  • Utilized electrophysiological techniques to demonstrate long-term depression (LTD) at these synapses.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated a novel form of activity-dependent long-term depression (LTD) at electrical synapses in the TRN.
  • Provided evidence that synaptic strength at electrical synapses can be modified by neuronal activity.
  • Established a precedent for plasticity at electrical synapses, previously thought to be static.

Conclusions:

  • Activity-dependent plasticity is a feature of electrical synapses in the TRN.
  • Modification of electrical synapse strength is likely a widespread mechanism in the brain due to the broad expression of gap junction proteins.
  • This plasticity may play a significant role in regulating attention, sleep, and arousal states.