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The Synapse

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.

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...

Long-term Potentiation

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...

Long-term Potentiation

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.

Integration of Synaptic Events

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Electrophysiological Investigations of Retinogeniculate and Corticogeniculate Synapse Function

Electrophysiological Investigations of Retinogeniculate and Corticogeniculate Synapse Function

Published on: August 7, 2019

How do short-term changes at synapses fine-tune information processing?

Achim Klug¹, J Gerard G Borst, Bruce A Carlson

¹Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA. achim.klug@ucdenver.edu

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience

|October 12, 2012

Summary

Short-term synaptic plasticity, a change in synapse strength, is influenced by neuronal activity. This review explores how synaptic plasticity impacts information processing in the brain.

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Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Electrophysiological Investigations of Retinogeniculate and Corticogeniculate Synapse Function

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Published on: August 7, 2019

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

Synaptic transmission strength fluctuates based on recent activity, a process known as short-term synaptic plasticity.
This plasticity is observed across all synapses in the nervous system.
Traditionally viewed as a passive mechanistic outcome, its dynamic role is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the bidirectional relationship between complex neuronal activity and short-term synaptic plasticity.
To elucidate how dynamic synaptic strength changes influence neural information processing.

Main Methods:

This is a review article, synthesizing existing research.
It focuses on theoretical and mechanistic aspects of synaptic plasticity.

Main Results:

Short-term synaptic plasticity is not merely a consequence of synaptic design but is actively modulated by neuronal activity.
Changes in synaptic strength dynamically shape how neural circuits process information.

Conclusions:

Short-term synaptic plasticity plays a crucial, active role in neural information processing.
Understanding this dynamic interplay is key to comprehending brain function.