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Related Concept Videos

Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

5.7K
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

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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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Assembly of Signaling Complexes01:30

Assembly of Signaling Complexes

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Multiprotein signaling complexes are formed in a dynamic process involving protein-protein interactions at the cytoplasmic domain of transmembrane receptors or enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins associated with the receptor. These complexes ensure the activation and propagation of intracellular signals that regulate cell functions.
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
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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
If over...
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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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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient
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Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient

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The molecular signals that regulate activity-dependent synapse refinement in the brain.

Sivapratha Nagappan-Chettiar1, Masahiro Yasuda2, Erin M Johnson-Venkatesh2

  • 1Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/sivapratha.

Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|February 22, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Neurons refine brain connections by eliminating less active synapses, a process crucial for neural network function. Disruptions in this activity-dependent synapse refinement are linked to disorders like autism and schizophrenia.

Keywords:
Elimination signalNeural activityPunishment signalStabilization signalSynapse refinementSynaptic competition

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Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
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Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

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Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture
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Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient
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Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient

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Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
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Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture
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Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Proper brain function relies on precise synaptic connections.
  • During development, an excess of synapses forms, requiring refinement.
  • Activity-dependent synapse refinement stabilizes active synapses and eliminates inactive ones.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of activity-dependent synapse elimination.
  • To propose a theoretical framework for molecular regulation of synapse refinement.
  • To discuss the interaction of molecular signals in brain synapse refinement.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of synapse elimination processes.
  • Theoretical modeling of molecular mechanisms.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways involved in synapse refinement.

Main Results:

  • Synapse elimination is regulated by activity-dependent competition.
  • A framework is proposed involving three types of regulatory signals.
  • Specific molecular signals and their interactions are identified.

Conclusions:

  • Activity-dependent synapse refinement is essential for neural network formation.
  • Understanding these molecular mechanisms is key to addressing related neuropsychiatric disorders.
  • Interactions between multiple signals ensure precise synapse refinement.