Neurotransmission is the fundamental process in neuroscience as it describes how neurons communicate with one another in the nervous system. It allows transmission of information from one neuron to another, enabling the integration and processing of signals throughout the brain. At the centre of neurotransmission is the synapse, a specialized junction where the membranes of two neurons come into proximity. The presynaptic (sending) neuron releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft, a small intermembrane gap separating it from the postsynaptic (receiving) neuron. Neurotransmitters are stored within membrane-bound synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic terminal, and when an action potential (an electrical signal) reaches the presynaptic terminal, it depolarizes the plasmamembrane and triggers voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) to open, leading to the influx of calcium ions (Ca2+) from the extracellular space through the VGCCs. The presynaptic terminal contains a pool of synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitters. Before fusion, these vesicles dock and prime at the active zone, a specialized region of the presynaptic membrane. Docking involves the attachment of vesicles to specific proteins in the active zone, whilst priming prepares the vesicles for fusion by forming the fusion pore. The vesicle membrane contains proteins called vesicular SNAREs (v-SNAREs), whilst the presynaptic membrane contains proteins called target SNAREs (t-SNAREs). When calcium enters the presynaptic terminal, it binds to synaptotagmin, a calcium-binding protein on the vesicle membrane, which triggers SNARE complex formation. The assembly of this double SNARE complex facilitates the fusion of the vesicle membrane with the presynaptic membrane, allowing the vesicles to release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. The released neurotransmitters subsequently diffuse across the synaptic cleft before binding to specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane which can either be ligand-gated ion channels or G-protein coupled receptors, depending on the type of neurotransmitter. This leads to the generation of a postsynaptic potential, which can be excitatory (depolarizing) or inhibitory (hyperpolarizing). This postsynaptic potential may then reach the threshold for an action potential, propagating the signal to downstream neurons. After neurotransmitter release, some of the neurotransmitters are rapidly taken back up into the presynaptic terminal by specific transporter proteins which helps terminate the synaptic signal and recycle neurotransmitters for future release. Others are broken down by enzymes in the synaptic cleft, and the breakdown products are recycled or taken up by surrounding glial cells. The vesicle membrane components are also retrieved and recycled, preparing the vesicles for future rounds of neurotransmitter release. Neurotransmission is the basis of all neural communication in the brain. The brain's ability to perceive, process, and respond to information from the external environment and the body relies on neurotransmitters and their receptors. Dysfunction in neurotransmission can lead to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders. For example, imbalances in neurotransmitters have been implicated in mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. In these conditions, alterations in the levels or function of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine can significantly impact emotional regulation and mood. We offer a comprehensive product catalogue of research tools for studying neurotransmission, including c-Kit antibodies, Calretinin antibodies, MERTK antibodies, eNOS ELISA Kits, and c-Kit ELISA Kits. Explore our full neurotransmission product range below and discover more, for less. Alternatively, you can explore our Receptors & Channels, Intracellular Signaling, and Secretory Vesicles product ranges.