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Related Concept Videos

The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

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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.
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Synaptic Signaling01:12

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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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Synaptic Signaling01:09

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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...
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Overview of Synapses01:25

Overview of Synapses

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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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Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

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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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Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

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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...
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Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient
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SynCAMs extend their functions beyond the synapse.

Jeannine A Frei1, Esther T Stoeckli

  • 1Institute of Molecular Life Sciences and Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.

The European Journal of Neuroscience
|March 18, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synaptic cell adhesion molecules (SynCAMs) are crucial for synapse formation and function. Mutations in these molecules are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting neural circuit development beyond just synapses.

Keywords:
cognitive functionneural circuitssynaptic plasticitysynaptic proteinssynaptogenesis

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Synaptic cell adhesion molecules (SynCAMs) initiate synaptogenesis.
  • Other families include neurexins, neuroligins, and leucine-rich repeat transmembrane neuronal proteins.
  • Mutations in SynCAMs are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of SynCAMs in neural circuit formation.
  • To explore SynCAMs' function beyond synaptic roles.
  • To understand SynCAMs' contribution to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of SynCAMs' functions.
  • Analysis of SynCAMs' roles in synaptogenesis, axon guidance, and myelination.
  • Examination of SynCAMs' involvement in neurodevelopmental disease pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • SynCAMs are essential for synaptogenesis and synapse function.
  • SynCAMs also play a role in axon guidance and myelination.
  • Dysfunction of SynCAMs contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and schizophrenia.

Conclusions:

  • SynCAMs are critical for multiple stages of neural circuit formation.
  • Their roles extend from early development to synaptic function.
  • SynCAMs are key players in the pathogenesis of various neurodevelopmental disorders.