Synapses, properties & Transmission

By Dr. Mudassar Ali Roomi (MBBS, M.Phil.) Assistant Professor Physiology

SYNAPSES
Definition: it is the site of functional contact b/w two neurons at which an electric impulse is transmitted from one neuron to another.

Types of synapses- on the basis of site of contact 1. Axodendritic synapses (most common type) 2. Axosomatic synapses 3. Dendrodenritic synapses 4. axosaxonic synapses

Types of synapses- on the basis of method of signal transmission

Chemical synapses: Most common type Signal transmission is delayed for about 0.5 m sec in these synapses. Electrical synapses (nexus): Less common Flow of ions from one neuron to another via gap junctions. Signal transmission is nearly instantaneous.

Anatomy of a typical synapse (synaptic morphology)

Axon terminals Pre-synaptic membrane Post-synaptic membrane Synaptic cleft (20-30nm wide) Synaptic vesicles.

Events occurring at a chemical synapse during signal transmission (Synaptic Transmission Mechanism)

EPSP and IPSP

Depending on type of neurotransmitter & type of change in permeability of post-synaptic membrane, post-synaptic neuron is either excited or inhibited. Neuro-transmitter binds with receptor on postsynaptic membrane opening of ion channels localized change in membrane potential post-synaptic membrane potential (PSP) 2 types
Excitatory (EPSP), Inhibitory (IPSP).

EPSP
Resembles EPP (end plate potential). There is localized hypo-polarization due to Na+ influx. Resting potential of cell body of neuron is -65mV. When EPSP is produced hypo-polarization potential becomes less negative reach threshold of excitation (-45mV) ACTION POTENTIAL in cell body.

Purpose of EPSP:
To bring potential of membrane to threshold value (-45mV) It is graded (directly proportional to amount of neuro-transmitter released).

IPSP:
Produced when postsynaptic neuron is inhibited. Neuro-transmitter is of inhibitory type (GABA, Glycine) It binds with receptors on post-synaptic membrane change in permeability of membrane for K+ or Cl(there is opening of K+ or Clchannels efflux of K+ cell becomes more negative hyper-polarization / IPSP. Opening of Cl- channels extra-cellular Cl- moves into the cell more negative hyper-polarization / IPSP.

Effect of IPSP:
Because of IPSP, resting potential which is -65mV, becomes -70 to -75mV Post-synaptic neuron is inhibited POST-SYNAPTIC INHIBITION.

EPSP Vs ACTION POTENTIAL:

Property
Magnitude Propagation & Duration

EPSP or IPSP or Graded potential

Low

Action Potential
High

Nil; it remains localized ( up Self propagating ( up to 2 to 20 msec) msec) absent Not obeyed. It is graded. Present present To Na+ & K+ at one time but Na+ influx > K+ efflux present obeyed absent Absent. Size is constant Na+ Influx , then K+ efflux

Refractory period All or none law Summation Decrement (decline of size with distance) Increased permeability to ions

Properties of Synaptic Transmission

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. DALES LAW: LAW OF FORWARD CONDUCTION: SYNAPTIC DELAY FATIGUE OF SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION SUMMATION:
Temporal summation Spatial summation

6. POST-TETANIC FACILITATION OR POTENTIATION

7. EXCITATION AND INHIBITION OF SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION

Properties of Synaptic Transmission

DALES LAW: At a given synapse, only 1 type of neurotransmitter is released, it may be excitatory or inhibitory. Later on it was found that in certain cases release of additional substances at a given synapse e.g., in noradrenergic synapses: along with norepinephrine, some dopamine, neuropeptide Y & prostaglandins are also released.

 LAW OF FORWARD CONDUCTION: Through synapses, impulses are conducted always from presynaptic to post synaptic neuron, never in backward direction. (NO REVERSE GEAR!!)

 SYNAPTIC DELAY At a synapse, there is delay due to time taken in events during synaptic transmission. Through each synapse, there is delay of 0.5 milli seconds.

 FATIGUE OF SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION If impulses are conducted through a synapse repeatedly fatigue due to exhaustion of stores or progressive inactivation of receptors on post-synaptic membrane. Significance of fatigue??
Fatigue of synaptic transmission is protective in nature termination of epileptic fit.

 SUMMATION: Adding up of effects of stimuli particularly if stimuli are subthreshold. On a single motor neuron, thousands of synaptic knobs terminate to form synapses. About 80% of these synapses are on dendrites, remaining on cell body & few on axons. So, single impulse coming to motor neuron through a synapse, cant excite a motor neuron & there must be summation of effects of stimuli.

TEMPORAL Impulses transmit through 1 or few synaptic knobs repeatedly effects on post-synaptic neurons are added stimulation. Second stimulus must fall when effect of 1st one is still there.

SPATIAL Impulses are conducted along a number of synapses simultaneously effects on postsynaptic neuron are added excitation.

POST-TETANIC FACILITATION OR POTENTIATION

If impulses are conducted through a synapse rapidly then rest is given to synapse then again impulses are conducted response of postsynaptic neuron is increased.
Mechanism: Calcium ions enter in synaptic knob in each transmission, before fatigue occurs increase no. of calcium accumulate in knob more neurotransmitter released more EPSP.

ALKALOSIS INCREASE EXCITABILITY OF SYNAPSES, ACIDOSIS DEPRESSES SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION

Increase excitability
Caffeine (cerebral stimulant) Theophylline Strychnine / Kuchla Decreased calcium (tetany)

Decrease excitability
Anesthetics Hypoxia Increased calcium (stabilize the membrane)