Neurons` communication amplified

An international team of researchers, together with Alexey Semyanov from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute discovered that potassium ions which get into the synapse augment create communication between neurons and this leads to improved memory and learning. Synaptic communication between neurons works by the connection of the axon terminal with one neuron which leads to neurotransmitter molecules release. Magnesium ions generally block the NMDA receptor but postsynaptic neuron stimulation is still possible by ions released from the receptor channel. “New memories are associated with long-term changes in synaptic strength following repetitive activation of the synapse, commonly known as synaptic plasticity”, explained Semyanov. He believes that synaptic plasticity introduction is the result of the accumulation of potassium, in combination with consequent increase of glutamate release. This is the combination which results in the introduction of synaptic plasticity and this is how memory and learning facilitation could be explained.