Background The synapse is a specialized structure between two neurons at which basal neuronal communication takes place. Although neurons have reached the state of terminal differentiation, synapses can form or are eliminated, and continually change properties depending on neural activity a feature called synaptic plasticity which requires new supply of synaptic proteins that reach the [...]
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JoVE video paper
JoVE, the Journal of Visualized Experiments gives the opportunity to share a method with the science community by actually showing how to prepare and perform an experiment. We used the opportunity to create a video-methods paper of the well-established calcium imaging technique in immature brain slices.
The increasing prevalence for neurodegenerative disease in our aging population poses a growing problem for healthcare.
Many brain disorders are to be considered 'synaptic diseases" or 'synaptopathies' and cellular function of synapses.
The synapse is a specialized structure between two neurons at which basal neuronal communication takes place.
In neuropsychiatric disorders associated with reduced cognitive abilities, such as age-related cognitive decline, but also mental retardation, the ability of synapses to alter their strength is strongly affected.
The etiology of many disorders including age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease is still poorly understood.