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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Synapses01:25

Overview of Synapses

2.1K
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...
2.1K
The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

122.4K
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.
122.4K
Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

8.1K
Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
8.1K
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

5.5K
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...
5.5K
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

8.6K
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...
8.6K
Long-term Depression01:05

Long-term Depression

30.5K
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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2025

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
07:44

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

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Silent Synapses in the Adult Brain.

Dimitra Vardalaki1, Courtney E Yaeger1, Mark T Harnett1

  • 1McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;

Annual Review of Neuroscience
|February 25, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Silent synapses, initially inactive neuronal connections, are crucial for adult brain plasticity. These structures offer a reservoir for learning and memory, aiding neural circuit remodeling.

Keywords:
adultlearningplasticitysilent synapsestability-plasticity

More Related Videos

Single Synapse Indicators of Glutamate Release and Uptake in Acute Brain Slices from Normal and Huntington Mice
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Single Synapse Indicators of Glutamate Release and Uptake in Acute Brain Slices from Normal and Huntington Mice

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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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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 25, 2025

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
07:44

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

16.9K
Single Synapse Indicators of Glutamate Release and Uptake in Acute Brain Slices from Normal and Huntington Mice
08:27

Single Synapse Indicators of Glutamate Release and Uptake in Acute Brain Slices from Normal and Huntington Mice

Published on: March 11, 2020

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

Published on: January 4, 2010

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Synaptic Plasticity
  • Adult Neurogenesis

Background:

  • Synapse formation is essential for neural circuit assembly.
  • Newly formed glutamatergic synapses are initially silent and require activity-dependent plasticity.
  • Silent synapses were previously considered primarily developmental but are now recognized in the adult brain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for silent synapses in the adult brain.
  • To explore the potential roles of silent synapses in adult neural circuit plasticity.
  • To highlight the significance of silent synapses in information processing and storage.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current evidence on silent synapses in the adult brain.
  • Analysis of findings related to activity-dependent plasticity.
  • Exploration of theoretical roles in neural circuit remodeling.

Main Results:

  • Silent synapses are present and functional in the adult brain.
  • These synapses represent a key source of neural circuit plasticity in adults.
  • Silent synapses contribute to information processing and storage.

Conclusions:

  • Silent synapses are instrumental in adult neural circuit remodeling.
  • They serve as a latent reservoir of plasticity, enhancing learning and memory.
  • Further investigation into silent synapses is needed to understand their dynamic contribution to adult brain function.