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Synapses
Research News and Information
Definition of 'Synapses'Specialized junctions at which a neuron communicates with a target cell. At classical synapses, a neuron's presynaptic terminal releases a chemical transmitter stored in synaptic vesicles which diffuses across a narrow synaptic cleft and activates receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the target cell. The target may be a dendrite, cell body, or axon of another neuron, or a specialized region of a muscle or secretory cell. Neurons may also communicate via direct electrical coupling with ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Several other non-synaptic chemical or electric signal transmitting processes occur via extracellular mediated interactions. |
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase a functions as a scaffold for synaptic Rac signaling.
2 Nov 2009 
Activity-dependent alterations of synaptic contacts are crucial for synaptic plasticity. The formation of new dendritic spines and synapses is known to require actin cytoskeletal reorganization specifically during neural activation phases. Yet the ... Read more...
2 Nov 2009 The effects of lifelong, moderate excess release of glutamate (Glu) in the CNS have not been previously characterized. We created a transgenic (Tg) mouse model of lifelong excess synaptic Glu release in the CNS by introducing the gene for glutamate ... Read more...
Reliability and precision of the mouse calyx of Held synapse.
2 Nov 2009 Traditionally, the calyx of Held synapse is viewed as a highly reliable relay in the sound localization circuit of the auditory brainstem, with every presynaptic action potential triggering a postsynaptic action potential in vivo. However, this view ... Read more...
Latest indexed articles for 'Synapses'
These are the very latest articles for this heading:
- Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase a functions as a scaffold for synaptic Rac signaling. 2 Nov 2009
- Transgenic expression of Glud1 (glutamate dehydrogenase 1) in neurons: in vivo model of enhanced glutamate release, altered synaptic plasticity, and selective neuronal vulnerability. 2 Nov 2009
- Reliability and precision of the mouse calyx of Held synapse. 2 Nov 2009
- Aberrant expression of synaptic plasticity-related genes in the NF1+/- mouse hippocampus. 30 Oct 2009
- Etomidate targets alpha5 gamma-aminobutyric acid subtype A receptors to regulate synaptic plasticity and memory blockade. 30 Oct 2009
- Metaplasticity governs natural experience-driven plasticity of nascent embryonic brain circuits. 27 Oct 2009
- ELKS2alpha/CAST deletion selectively increases neurotransmitter release at inhibitory synapses. 27 Oct 2009
- Evidence against AMPA receptor-lacking glutamatergic synapses in the superficial dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord. 19 Oct 2009
- Endocannabinoid-dependent homeostatic regulation of inhibitory synapses by miniature excitatory synaptic activities. 19 Oct 2009
- The necessity of NKCC1: loss of the chloride cotransporter in a knock-out model and potential compensatory mechanisms.
19 Oct 2009 - Astrocyte-neuron interactions: implications for epilepsy. 18 Oct 2009
- Trans-synaptic transmission of vesicular Wnt signals through Evi/Wntless. 14 Oct 2009
- Ferrying wingless across the synaptic cleft. 14 Oct 2009
- Fast synaptic subcortical control of hippocampal circuits. 14 Oct 2009
- The optogenetic catechism. 14 Oct 2009
- Molecular and cellular approaches to memory allocation in neural circuits. 14 Oct 2009
- Immune proteins in brain development and synaptic plasticity. 13 Oct 2009
- MHC class I: an unexpected role in neuronal plasticity. 13 Oct 2009
- Breaking boundaries in neural-immune interactions. 13 Oct 2009
- Input-specific intrasynaptic arrangements of ionotropic glutamate receptors and their impact on postsynaptic responses. 12 Oct 2009
See a longer list of these articles.
Technical information about 'Synapses'
Definition: Specialized junctions at which a neuron communicates with a target cell. At classical synapses, a neuron's presynaptic terminal releases a chemical transmitter stored in synaptic vesicles which diffuses across a narrow synaptic cleft and activates receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the target cell. The target may be a dendrite, cell body, or axon of another neuron, or a specialized region of a muscle or secretory cell. Neurons may also communicate via direct electrical coupling with ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Several other non-synaptic chemical or electric signal transmitting processes occur via extracellular mediated interactions.
Descriptor UI: D013569
Alternative terms: Synapses; Synapse;
Related Mesh Headings: Synaptic Transmission; Synaptosomes; Gap Junctions;
Allowable Qualifiers: classification; drug effects; enzymology; immunology; metabolism; microbiology; parasitology; pathology; physiology; radiation effects; radiography; radionuclide imaging; secretion; ultrastructure; ultrasonography; chemistry; virology; genetics;
Tree Number: A08.850; A11.284.149.165.420.780;
Technical Notes: note specifics; IMMUNOLOGICAL SYNAPSES is also available; / physiol: consider also SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION; do not confuse with SYNAPSIS see CHROMOSOME PAIRING