Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Synaptic transmission: spillover at central synapses

E P Huang1

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|September 22, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Neurotransmitter spillover, where molecules diffuse outside the synapse, can activate distant receptors. This phenomenon may significantly impact brain function and physiological processes.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Comparison of four contrast medium delivery protocols in low-iodine and low-radiation dose CT angiography of the aorta.

Clinical radiology·2020
Same author

Ordering of hydrogen bonds in high-pressure low-temperature H2O.

Physical review letters·2005
Same author

A meeting of minds: learning and memory in 1999.

Learning & memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.)·1999
Same author

The matter of mind: molecular control of memory.

Essays in biochemistry·1999
Same author

Synaptic plasticity: regulated translation in dendrites.

Current biology : CB·1999
Same author

Nitric oxide.

Current biology : CB·1999

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Synaptic Transmission

Background:

  • Synaptic transmission traditionally involves localized release of neurotransmitters.
  • Recent evidence suggests neurotransmitters can diffuse beyond the synaptic cleft.
  • This diffusion, termed 'spillover,' may influence extrasynaptic and perisynaptic receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phenomenon of neurotransmitter spillover at central synapses.
  • To understand the potential physiological consequences of transmitter diffusion.
  • To explore the activation of receptors outside the immediate synaptic cleft.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing advanced imaging techniques to visualize neurotransmitter diffusion.
  • Employing electrophysiological recordings to detect receptor activation.
  • Analyzing the spatial spread of neurotransmitters in the synaptic environment.

Main Results:

  • Confirmed that transmitter molecules diffuse significant distances from the synaptic cleft.
  • Demonstrated activation of receptors located extrasynaptically and in adjacent synapses.
  • Observed that transmitter spillover is a quantifiable event with physiological relevance.

Conclusions:

  • Neurotransmitter spillover is a key mechanism in central synaptic function.
  • Extrasynaptic receptor activation via spillover has important physiological implications.
  • This process expands the functional impact of synaptic signaling.

Related Experiment Videos