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Related Concept Videos

The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

99.9K
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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Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

9.5K
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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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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Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

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When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of...
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Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis01:29

Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis

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Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase,...
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Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

5.7K
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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors
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Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

Published on: November 14, 2014

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A nutrient combination that can affect synapse formation.

Richard J Wurtman1

  • 1Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Mass Ave., 46-5009, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. dick@mit.edu.

Nutrients
|April 26, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Synapse formation relies on uridine, DHA, and choline. Supplementing these nutrients supports brain health, especially in adults and those with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Synapse formation (synaptogenesis) is crucial throughout life, initiated by neuronal depolarization.
  • Synaptogenesis is influenced by brain levels of uridine, DHA, and choline.
  • These nutrients, when combined, accelerate the formation of synaptic membranes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of uridine, DHA, and choline in synaptogenesis.
  • To highlight the bioavailability challenges of these nutrients in adults.
  • To explore the enhanced need for these nutrients in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews existing literature on nutrient roles in synaptogenesis.
  • It analyzes nutrient bioavailability from dietary sources.

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Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture
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Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture

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Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient
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Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors
07:51

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

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Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture
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Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture

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Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient
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Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient

Published on: September 3, 2014

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  • It discusses the implications for brain health and neurological disorders.

    • Main Results:

    • Infants receive bioavailable forms of uridine, DHA, and choline for maximal synaptogenesis.
    • Adults face challenges with dietary uridine bioavailability and may have insufficient DHA and choline intake.
    • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with subnormal nutrient levels and increased brain requirements.

    Conclusions:

    • Optimal synaptogenesis requires adequate levels of uridine, DHA, and choline.
    • Dietary intake may be insufficient for adults, necessitating supplementation.
    • Targeted nutrient strategies could benefit cognitive function and AD treatment.