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Related Concept Videos

Synaptic Signaling01:12

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 Signaling01:09

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...
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

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 specific...
Chemical Synapses01:26

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...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
Chemical Synapses01:26

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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Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
11:02

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

Published on: January 5, 2010

​Synaptic adhesion molecules and excitatory synaptic transmission.

Seil Jang1, Hyejin Lee1, Eunjoon Kim2

  • 1Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.

Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|April 9, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synaptic adhesion molecules regulate synapse development and also modulate excitatory neurotransmission and plasticity. This review highlights their emerging roles beyond structural connections.

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

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11:02

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Published on: January 5, 2010

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

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A High-content Assay for Monitoring AMPA Receptor Trafficking
10:34

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Published on: January 28, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • Synaptic adhesion molecules (SAMs) are crucial for synapse development via trans-synaptic adhesions.
  • Emerging evidence suggests SAMs also regulate synaptic function.
  • SAMs interact with neurotransmitter receptors, influencing synaptic transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the role of SAMs in regulating excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity.
  • To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.
  • To discuss the implications of these findings.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies.
  • Analysis of experimental data on SAMs and synaptic function.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of SAMs' non-structural roles.

Main Results:

  • SAMs directly or indirectly associate with excitatory neurotransmitter receptors.
  • These associations modulate receptor function and synaptic strength.
  • SAMs play active roles in synaptic plasticity.

Conclusions:

  • Synaptic adhesion molecules have functions extending beyond synapse formation.
  • SAMs are key regulators of excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity.
  • Further research into SAMs' molecular interactions is warranted.