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Nature 450, 623-625 (29 November 2007) | doi:10.1038/450623a; Published online 28 November 2007

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Neuroscience: Sensors and synchronicity

Ruth Heidelberger1

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Synaptic communication is triggered by action potentials, but neurons also talk to each other in between action potentials. Specific intracellular-calcium sensors regulate these conversations.

Neurons communicate with each other through synaptic junctions. In the presynaptic neuron, voltage-gated calcium channels are activated in response to an action potential, allowing the entry of extracellular calcium.

  1. Ruth Heidelberger is in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77025, USA.
    Email: ruth.heidelberger@uth.tmc.edu

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