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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Synapses01:25

Overview of Synapses

6.6K
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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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 Signaling01:09

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...
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Synaptic Signaling01:12

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.
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Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

Integration of Synaptic Events

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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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Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

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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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Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
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Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

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The brain's matchmakers.

Maria K Lehtinen1

  • 1New York Stem Cell Foundation, New York, NY 10019, USA; Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Science Translational Medicine
|March 10, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Pericytes regulate blood flow in capillaries to match brain activity, ensuring adequate oxygen delivery for optimal neural function.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Vascular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The brain requires a precise supply of oxygen to function.
  • Capillary blood flow must dynamically adapt to meet local metabolic demands.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of pericytes in regulating cerebral blood flow.
  • To understand how pericytes link neural activity to vascular responses.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized in vivo imaging techniques to observe pericyte behavior.
  • Measured capillary diameter and blood flow in response to neural stimulation.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that pericytes actively constrict and dilate capillaries.
  • Showed pericyte-mediated flow adjustments directly correlate with local neural activity.

Conclusions:

  • Pericytes are key regulators of neurovascular coupling.
  • These cells ensure efficient brain oxygenation by matching blood flow to neural demands.