A mediator (synaptic transmitter, neurotransmitter) is a physiologically active substance found in nerve cell bound form, which secreted from an excited ending into the synaptic cleft and specifically acts on receptors of postsynaptic target [1].

Introduction: In the present work, spontaneous postsynaptic currents were assessed to investigate the postnatal development of excitatory postsynaptic currents in locus coeruleus neurons. Methods: In this study, AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated spontaneous synaptic currents in the neurons of locus coeruleus were assessed using whole cell voltage-clamp recording during the first three weeks. ...

Neuronal cells communicate with each other by producing electrical signals or action potentials (APs). Different ion channels, including Na+, K+ and Ca2+ channels, are involved in generation of AP. Once an AP is generated in the soma, it travels down entire the axon length toward its terminal in a self-generating fashion that ultimately conveys information between neurons in the neural circuit....

introduction: previous studies indicate that exercise influences cognitive function. nevertheless, considering that exercise in animal study can be voluntary, or forced, effects of exercise (specially forced exercise) on learning and memory abides as a matter of controversy. the present study aimed to investigate the effects of treadmill exercise on ltp in the dentate gyrus of rats. methods: th...

introduction: the learning procedure leads to biochemical, biophysical and ultrastructural changes in synapses of some specific areas in central nervous system, which is named synaptic plasticity. material and methods: twelve male wistar rats were divided in two (case and control) groups. the cases were trained in morris water maze. the animals underwent 8 training sessions per day, on 3 consec...

Costanza Angelini, Alessandro Morellato, Annalisa Alfieri, Lisa Pavinato, Tiziana Cravero, et al. (see pages [7183–7200][1]) The postsynaptic density (PSD) of excitatory synapses contains an extraordinary number proteins, including AMPA and NMDA receptors, accessory proteins that regulate

Individual skeletal muscle fibers in newborn vertebrates are innervated at a single endplate by several motor axons. During the first postnatal weeks, the polyneuronal innervation decreases in an activity-dependent process of synaptic elimination by axonal competition. Because synaptic activity depends strongly on the influx of calcium from the external media via presynaptic voltage-dependent c...

We investigated the mechanisms by which the antiparkinsonian and neuroprotective agents amantadine and memantine inhibit responses to N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA). Whole cell recordings were performed using cultured rat cortical neurons or Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing NMDA receptors. Both amantadine and memantine blocked NMDA-activated channels by binding to a site at which t...