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Nature 425, 464-467 (2 October 2003) | doi:10.1038/425464a

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Neurobiology: Backchat at the synapse

Patricia C. Salinas1

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At synapses, nerve cells release neurotransmitters, which affect other nerve cells or muscles. Studies of how muscles in turn influence neurotransmitter release hint at how synapses adapt to changes in use.

Synapses — points of contact between a nerve cell and its target — are dynamic structures that can grow, shrink and change their properties according to their firing history. Crosstalk between the 'presynaptic' neuron (which releases neurotransmitter molecules when stimulated) and its 'postsynaptic' target (which responds to the neurotransmitters) is crucial for the formation, maturation and refinement of synapses.

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW8 2AZ, UK.
    Email: p.salinas@imperial.ac.uk