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Related Concept Videos

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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Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

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Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
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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
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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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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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Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)01:32

Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

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Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 5, 2025

Inducing Dendritic Growth in Cultured Sympathetic Neurons
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Local BMP signaling: A sensor for synaptic activity that balances synapse growth and function.

Rosario Vicidomini1, Mihaela Serpe1

  • 1Neurosciences and Cellular and Structural Biology Division, Eunice Kennedy Shiver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology
|July 11, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Neurons sense synapse activity using local bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. This BMP signaling acts as a key controller, balancing synapse growth, maturation, and function with other BMP pathways.

Keywords:
BMP signalingLocal BMP signalingPositive feedback loopSensor for synapse activitySynapse assembly

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Synapse development relies on communication between pre- and postsynaptic compartments and neuronal activity.
  • Neuronal activity modifies synaptic strength to maintain circuit stability despite challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how neurons sense synapse activity.
  • To review the role of local BMP signaling as a sensor and controller of synapse activity.

Main Methods:

  • Studies conducted at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ).
  • Analysis of local BMP signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Local BMP signaling acts as an exquisite sensor for synapse activity at the Drosophila NMJ.
  • BMP signaling functions as a key controller, not just a monitor, of synaptic processes.

Conclusions:

  • Local BMP signaling is crucial for sensing and regulating synapse activity.
  • Coordination with other BMP pathways balances synapse growth, maturation, and function.