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Neural Circuits

Neural Circuits

Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...

Neuronal Communication

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...

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.

Synaptic Signaling

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 Signaling

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.

Electrical Synapses

Electrical Synapses

Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings

Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings

Published on: January 10, 2015

Brain circuitry outside the synaptic cleft.

Dmitri A Rusakov¹, Alexander E Dityatev²

¹UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK d.rusakov@ucl.ac.uk.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences

|September 17, 2014

Summary

Brain information processing may involve more than just neurons. Astroglia and extracellular matrix (ECM) signals outside the synaptic cleft also play crucial roles in brain networking and function.

Keywords:

astrocycte extracellular matrix synapse

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Last Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings

Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings

Published on: January 10, 2015

Juxtasomal Biocytin Labeling to Study the Structure-function Relationship of Individual Cortical Neurons

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Synaptic Microcircuit Modeling with 3D Cocultures of Astrocytes and Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Synaptic Microcircuit Modeling with 3D Cocultures of Astrocytes and Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: August 16, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Emerging evidence highlights the role of astroglia and microglia in regulating brain synaptic networks.
Extracellular matrix (ECM) structures surrounding synapses generate molecular signals influencing neuronal and glial activity.

Discussion:

The traditional view of brain information processing solely via neural circuits is challenged.
Investigates the potential for informative signal exchange occurring outside the synaptic cleft.

Key Insights:

Astroglia and ECM signaling are integral to brain networking.
Non-synaptic communication pathways contribute to brain function.

Outlook:

Explores implications for drug development and novel therapeutic targets for neurological conditions.
Discusses future conceptual advances in understanding brain signaling and networking.