Image of the Week

Highlighting the Synapse

  • Published6 Nov 2018
  • Reviewed6 Nov 2018
  • Author Michael W. Richardson
  • Source BrainFacts/SfN

Image of a neuron and its synapses
Tu, et al. The Journal of Neuroscience, 2018.

Synapses — the spaces where one neuron communicates with another neuron — are the junctions that create brain circuits. In the neuron above, these meeting points are highlighted in purple and white. At the synapse, one neuron transforms electrical signals into chemical signals called neurotransmitters. The next neuron receives these chemicals and transforms them back into electrical signals.

A wide range of neurological disorders — including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease — disrupt synapses and impair communication between brain cells. That makes investigating the proper formation of synapses a vital part of brain research.

CONTENT PROVIDED BY

BrainFacts/SfN

Tu, Y., Duman, J. G., & Tolias, K. F. (2018). The Adhesion-GPCR BAI1 Promotes Excitatory Synaptogenesis by Coordinating Bidirectional Trans-synaptic Signaling. The Journal of Neuroscience,38(39), 8388-8406. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.3461-17.2018

Image of the Week

Check out the Image of the Week Archive.

Explore

Neuroscience in the News

Check out the latest news from the field.

Read More

Research & Discoveries

See how discoveries in the lab have improved human health.

Read More