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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Synapses01:25

Overview of Synapses

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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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Long-term Potentiation01:35

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Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
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Long-term Potentiation01:25

Long-term Potentiation

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Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when...
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Neuroplasticity01:01

Neuroplasticity

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Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
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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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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Transmission Electron Microscopy as the Visualization Technique for Analysis of Circadian Synaptic Plasticity in the Mouse Barrel Cortex
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Linking Network Activity to Synaptic Plasticity during Sleep: Hypotheses and Recent Data.

Carlos Puentes-Mestril1, Sara J Aton1

  • 1Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI, United States.

Frontiers in Neural Circuits
|September 22, 2017
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Summary

Sleep influences synaptic plasticity, potentially weakening or strengthening connections. New research suggests sleep

Keywords:
NREM sleepREM sleephomeostatic plasticityoscillationsreplaysynaptic homeostasis hypothesis

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Research
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • Decades of research link sleep states to synaptic plasticity.
  • Synaptic weakening after sleep is supported by structural and activity changes.
  • The Synaptic Homeostasis Hypothesis (SHY) proposes brain-wide synaptic downscaling during slow-wave sleep.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore cellular and network mechanisms of sleep-dependent synaptic plasticity.
  • To discuss recent findings on circuit-specific synaptic strengthening during sleep.
  • To propose an alternative to SHY, considering experience-dependent plasticity during sleep.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing research on sleep and synaptic plasticity.
  • Discussion of cellular and network dynamic mechanisms.
  • Analysis of recent findings on circuit-specific plasticity.

Main Results:

  • Sleep can induce synaptic weakening, supporting SHY.
  • Emerging evidence shows circuit-specific synaptic strengthening during sleep.
  • Experience during wakefulness influences the type of plasticity during sleep.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep-dependent plasticity is not uniform; it can involve strengthening or weakening.
  • Prior wakeful experiences shape neural circuit changes during sleep.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for cognitive function.