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Related Concept Videos

The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

132.3K
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 Signaling01:12

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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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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Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

2.8K
Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals
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Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals

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Capturing activated neurons and synapses.

Jung-Eun Choi1, Jiwon Kim1, Jinhyun Kim2

  • 1Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Neuroscience Research
|January 4, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Neuroscience research uses new tools to visualize and manipulate brain cells, advancing our understanding of how neural activity shapes cognition and behavior. These methods offer insights into functional brain circuits.

Keywords:
Active synapseCa(2+)Cell ensembleGenetic toolsIEG expressionLight

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Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings
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Retrograde Fluorescent Labeling Allows for Targeted Extracellular Single-unit Recording from Identified Neurons In vivo
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Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Computational Neuroscience

Background:

  • Understanding the link between brain activity and cognitive functions is a major challenge in neuroscience.
  • Neurons and synapses are the basic units of brain activity, crucial for cognition and behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recently developed methods for visualizing and manipulating active neurons and synapses.
  • To highlight how these techniques provide insights into functional neuronal circuitry.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent advancements in neuroimaging techniques.
  • Overview of optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulation methods.
  • Discussion of tools for monitoring synaptic activity.

Main Results:

  • Emerging technologies allow for unprecedented visualization of neuronal activity.
  • New methods enable precise manipulation of specific neuronal populations.
  • These tools provide compelling data on functional neuronal circuits.

Conclusions:

  • Recent technological developments are revolutionizing the study of brain function.
  • Visualizing and manipulating neurons and synapses are key to deciphering neural circuits.
  • This review highlights the potential of new methods to advance our understanding of cognition and behavior.