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Related Concept Videos

The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

136.1K
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

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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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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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Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

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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...
7.0K
Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

80.8K
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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Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors01:30

Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors

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G Protein–Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to various stimuli. GPCRs regulate critical physiological pathways and are excellent drug targets for treating diseases such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, depression, or Alzheimer's. Nearly 35% of approved drugs implement their therapeutic effects by selectively interacting with specific GPCRs.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical,...
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Updated: Mar 11, 2026

Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies
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Microtransplantation of Synaptic Membranes to Reactivate Human Synaptic Receptors for Functional Studies

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Human presynaptic receptors.

Eberhard Schlicker1, Thomas Feuerstein2

  • 1Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universität Bonn, Germany.

Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|December 1, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Presynaptic receptors regulate neurotransmitter release in the nervous system. This review highlights their roles in human tissues and therapeutic applications, including autoreceptors and heteroreceptors.

Keywords:
Cholinergic neuronsGABAergic neuronsGlutamatergic neuronsInduction of transmitter releaseModulation of transmitter releaseMonoaminergic neurons

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Dopamine Release at Individual Presynaptic Terminals Visualized with FFNs
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Dopamine Release at Individual Presynaptic Terminals Visualized with FFNs
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Presynaptic receptors modulate neurotransmitter release from axon terminals.
  • Their study has seen declining interest, necessitating a review of their function in human autonomic and central nervous systems.
  • Autoreceptors and heteroreceptors represent key classes of presynaptic receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of presynaptic receptors in human tissues.
  • To discuss the roles of autoreceptors and heteroreceptors in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
  • To highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting presynaptic receptors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on presynaptic receptors in human tissues.
  • Analysis of the roles of autoreceptors and heteroreceptors in neurotransmission.
  • Examination of clinical applications and drug development related to presynaptic receptor modulation.

Main Results:

  • Presynaptic receptors, including autoreceptors and heteroreceptors, are crucial for regulating neurotransmitter release.
  • Autoreceptors can inhibit or, in some cases, increase transmitter release, acting as negative feedback mechanisms.
  • Heteroreceptors respond to various signaling molecules, influencing neurotransmitter release from adjacent neurons.
  • Presynaptic receptor modulation has therapeutic implications, as exemplified by mirtazapine and pitolisant.

Conclusions:

  • Presynaptic receptors play a significant role in human nervous system function and disease.
  • Targeting presynaptic receptors offers viable therapeutic strategies for various conditions.
  • Further research into presynaptic receptors is warranted given their clinical relevance.