Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Excitatory synapse
Introduction
Overview
Overview
An excitatory synapse is a synapse in which an action potential in the presynaptic cell increases the probability of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic cell (see also: EPSP)).
At an excitatory synapse, the neurotransmitter opens sodium (Na+) channels, a slight depolarization of the receiving neuron occurs because of the movement of the positively charged sodium ions into the cell.