Neurotransmission

Neurotransmission also called synaptic transmission, is the process by which signaling molecules called

neurotransmitters are released by a neuron (the presynaptic neuron), and bind to and activate the

receptors of another neuron (the postsynaptic neuron). Neurotransmission is essential for the process of

communication between two neurons.

Synaptic transmission relies on:

1. the availability of the neurotransmitter;

2. the release of the neurotransmitter by exocytosis;

3. the binding of the postsynaptic receptor by the neurotransmitter;

4. The functional response of the postsynaptic cell; and the subsequent removal or

deactivation of the neurotransmitter.

In response to a threshold action potential or graded electrical potential, a neurotransmitter is

released at the presynaptic terminal. The released neurotransmitter may then move across the

synapse to be detected by and bind with receptors in the postsynaptic neuron. Binding of

neurotransmitters may influence the postsynaptic neuron in either an inhibitory or excitatory

way. The binding of neurotransmitters to receptors in the postsynaptic neuron can trigger either

short term changes, such as changes in the membrane potential called postsynaptic potentials, or

longer term changes by the activation of signaling cascades.

Neurons form elaborate networks through which nerve impulses (action potentials) travel. Each

neuron has as many as 15,000 connections with other neurons. Neurons do not touch each other

(except in the case of an electrical synapse through a gap junction); instead, neurons interact at
close contact points called synapses. A neuron transports its information by way of an action

potential. When the nerve impulse arrives at the synapse, it may cause the release of

neurotransmitters, which influence another (postsynaptic) neuron. The postsynaptic neuron may

receive inputs from many additional neurons, both excitatory and inhibitory. The excitatory and

inhibitory influences are summed, and if the net effect is inhibitory, the neuron will be less likely

to "fire" (i.e., generate an action potential), and if the net effect is excitatory, the neuron will be

more likely to fire. How likely a neuron is to fire depends on how far its membrane potential is

from the threshold potential, the voltage at which an action potential is triggered because enough

voltage-dependent sodium channels are activated so that the net inward sodium current exceeds

all outward currents. Excitatory inputs bring a neuron closer to threshold, while inhibitory inputs

bring the neuron farther from threshold. Once the action potential is initiated (traditionally at the

axon hillock), it will propagate along the axon, leading to release of neurotransmitters at the

synaptic bouton to pass along information to yet another adjacent neuron.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters also known as chemical messengers are endogenous chemicals that enable

neurotransmission. They transmit signals across a chemical synapse, such as a neuromuscular

junction, from one neuron (nerve cell) to another "target" neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.

Neurotransmitters are released from synaptic vesicles in synapses into the synaptic cleft, where

they are received by receptors on the target cells. Many neurotransmitters are synthesized from

simple and plentiful precursors such as amino acids, which are readily available from the diet

and only require a small number of biosynthetic steps for conversion. Neurotransmitters play a

major role in shaping everyday life and functions. Their exact numbers are unknown, but more

than 100 chemical messengers have been uniquely identified.

Suggestive Books

Text book:
1. Cunningham, J.G. and B. G. Klein, 2007. Textbook of Veterinary Physiology. 4th Edition.
WB Saunders Company, USA.

Recommended books:
1. Dukes, H.H., M.J. Swenson and W.O. Reece, 2004. Duke’s Physiology of Domestic
Animals. 12th Edition, Comstock Publishing, USA.
2. Costanzo, L., 2008. Physiology. 4th Edition, Elsevier Publishing, USA.
3. Guyton, A.C. and J.E. Hall., 2006. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 11th Edition. WB
Saunders Company, USA.
4. Barreet, K.E., S.M. Barman, S. Boitano and H.L. Brooks, 2006. Ganong’s Review of
Medical Physiology. 23rd Edition. Appleton & Lange, USA.