Synaptic Transmission is a comprehensive guide to the topic of neurotransmission that provides an in-depth discussion on many aspects of synapse structure and function—a fundamental part of the neuroscience discipline. Chapters include boxes that describe renowned/award-winning researchers and their contributions to the field of synaptic transmission, diseases relevant to the material presented, details of experimental approaches used to study synaptic transmission, and interesting asides that expand on topics covered. This book will inspire students to appreciate how the basic cellular and molecular biology of the synapse can lead to a better understanding of nervous system function and neurological disorders.
Key Features
- Provides a comprehensive reference on synaptic structure, physiology, function and neurotransmission
- Discusses many landmark experiments in the field of synaptic transmission to emphasize core principles
- Includes references to primary scientific literature, relevant review articles and books, many of which could be assigned as discussion material for courses focused on this topic
1. Introduction
Part 1: Synaptic Biophysics and Nerve Terminal Structure2. The formation and Structure of Synapses3. Basics of Cellular Neurophysiology4. Ion Channels and Their Role in Generating Action Potentials5. Electrical Synapses
Part 2: Regulation of Chemical Transmitter Release6. Function of Chemical Synapses and the Quantal Theory of Transmitter Release7. Calcium Homeostasis, Calcium Channels, and Transmitter Release8. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Exocytosis9. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Endocytosis and Synaptic Vesicle Trafficking
Part 3: Receptors and Signaling10. Introduction to Receptors11. Ionotropic Receptors12. Metabotropic G-protein-coupled Receptors and Their Cytoplasmic Signaling Pathways13. Synaptic Integration Within Postsynaptic Neurons14. Synaptic Plasticity
Part 4: Chemical Transmitters15. Introduction to Chemical Transmitter Systems16. Acetylcholine17. Monoamine Transmitters18. Amino Acid Neurotransmitters19. Neuropeptide Transmitters20. Gaseous Neurotransmitters21. The Use of Multiple Neurotransmitters at Synapses22. Complex Signaling Within Tripartite Synapses
