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Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...

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.

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...

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...

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Chemical Synapses

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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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 15, 2026

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

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

Published on: September 3, 2014

The Postsynaptic Density: There Is More than Meets the Eye.

Ayse Dosemeci¹, Richard J Weinberg², Thomas S Reese¹

¹Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH) Bethesda, MD, USA.

Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience

|September 6, 2016

Summary

Calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) recruitment to the postsynaptic density

Keywords:

CaMKII EM Homer PSD Shank electron microscopy pallium postsynaptic density

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 15, 2026

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

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

Published on: September 3, 2014

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

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Published on: October 6, 2017

DetectSyn: A Rapid, Unbiased Fluorescent Method to Detect Changes in Synapse Density

DetectSyn: A Rapid, Unbiased Fluorescent Method to Detect Changes in Synapse Density

Published on: July 22, 2022

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

The postsynaptic density (PSD) is crucial for synaptic function.
The PSD's deeper layer, the pallium, contains Shank and Homer proteins.
Pallial structure changes with synaptic activity.

Purpose of the Study:

Review the role of CaMKII in protein recruitment to the pallium.
Understand CaMKII's impact on receptor trafficking and spine remodeling.
Explore how CaMKII shapes activity-induced synaptic changes.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on PSDs, pallium, CaMKII, and synaptic plasticity.
Analysis of electron micrographs showing synaptic structures.
Discussion of molecular mechanisms underlying protein recruitment.

Main Results:

CaMKII reversibly adds to the pallium during intense synaptic activity.
CaMKII recruitment influences receptor trafficking.
CaMKII activity is linked to activity-dependent spine remodeling.

Conclusions:

CaMKII-mediated protein recruitment to the pallium is significant for synaptic plasticity.
The level and duration of CaMKII activation in the pallium dictate activity-induced spine changes.
Understanding CaMKII dynamics in the pallium is key to synaptic remodeling.