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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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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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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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Chemical Synapses01:26

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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.
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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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Long-term Potentiation01:35

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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2025

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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Synapse organizers as molecular codes for synaptic plasticity.

Steven A Connor1, Tabrez J Siddiqui2

  • 1Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada.

Trends in Neurosciences
|August 31, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synapse organizing proteins are crucial for brain development and cognition. Understanding these proteins helps explain neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Keywords:
MAM domain-containing GPI anchorleucine-rich-repeat transmembrane neuronal proteinslong-term depressionlong-term potentiationneurexinneurodevelopmentneuroliginneuropsychiatric disorderssynapse organizing proteinssynaptic adhesion molecules

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • Synapse organizing proteins are essential for brain development and plasticity.
  • Dysfunction of these proteins is linked to major brain disorders.
  • These proteins regulate synaptic structure, function, and adaptability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how synapse organizers influence synaptic plasticity.
  • To investigate the molecular events linking synapse organizers to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
  • To propose questions regarding the integration of nanoscale and circuit-level organization by synapse organizers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research on synapse organizing proteins.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity.
  • Exploration of links between synaptic organization and neurological disorders.

Main Results:

  • Synapse organizers dictate the conditions for synaptic plasticity and associated molecular events.
  • These proteins play a critical role in adapting synapses to neural activity, influencing brain development and cognition.
  • Disruptions in synapse organizer function are implicated in behavioral aspects of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Conclusions:

  • Synapse organizers are key regulators of synaptic plasticity, impacting brain development and cognitive functions.
  • Further research is needed to understand how these proteins integrate nanoscale and circuit-level brain organization.
  • Elucidating the role of synapse organizers offers potential therapeutic insights for brain disorders.