Researchers at Leipzig University's Carl Ludwig Institute have discovered that in the cerebral cortex, synaptic signal transmission between brain cells functions very reliably even at low ...

Every thought, memory, and feeling we experience depends on trillions of tiny connection points in the brain called synapses. These are the junctions where one neuron passes signals to another, ...

Scientists have uncovered how a protein helps build and maintain vital brain connections, providing insights into the neurological problems experienced by people with a rare form of muscular dystrophy ...

A team of scientists from the University of Cologne's Institute of Biochemistry has made a decisive discovery about the molecular basis of synapse formation in the central nervous system. They studied ...

The human brain contains nearly 86 billion neurons, constantly exchanging messages like an immense social media network, but neurons do not work alone – glial cells, neurotransmitters, receptors, and ...

The microscopic image shows a nerve cell and a magnified view of the investigated synapses. Calcium was released at these sites using a UV flash, which triggered the release of the neurotransmitter.

A research team led by Dr. Àlex Bayés, Head of the Molecular Physiology of the Synapse Group at the Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR Sant Pau), has achieved what for decades had been an elusive goal: ...

Scientists have discovered that the adolescent brain does more than prune old connections. During the teen years, it actively builds dense new clusters of synapses in specific parts of neurons. These ...

The Importance of Gliotransmitters for Brain Function, Plus Cognitive and Motor Efficiencies Gliotransmitters are neurochemicals released by glial cells. They support communication between neurons and ...