Synapse

A synapse is a specialized structure enabling a neuron to transmit a signal to another neuron, muscle, or gland cell, either via chemical release of neurotransmitters (chemical synapse) or direct transfer of electrical charge (electrical synapse)[3][9][1]. At a chemical synapse, an action potential triggers neurotransmitter release from presynaptic vesicles; these molecules diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, modulating cellular excitability and neural signaling[2][6][9]. Electrical synapses are formed by gap junctions that directly couple the cytoplasms of adjacent cells[3]. Synapses enable complex information processing and plasticity in the nervous system and are central to cognition, learning, and disease[7]. In summary: the synapse is not a specific molecular drug target but a structural communication site comprised of many molecular components; thus, structured drug target data does not apply directly.

Other names

neuronal junctionsynaptic junctionsynaptic gapsynaptic cleft