What is the difference between an excitatory and inhibitory synapse?

Excitatory synapses stimulate action potentials, while inhibitory synapses prevent them from occurring.

Excitatory and inhibitory synapses are two types of chemical synapses that allow neurons to communicate with each other. Excitatory synapses stimulate the postsynaptic neuron to generate an action potential, while inhibitory synapses prevent the postsynaptic neuron from firing.

Excitatory synapses release neurotransmitters such as glutamate, which bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron and cause depolarisation, making it more likely to fire an action potential. Inhibitory synapses, on the other hand, release neurotransmitters such as GABA, which bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron and cause hyperpolarisation, making it less likely to fire an action potential.

The balance between excitatory and inhibitory synapses is important for regulating the activity of neural circuits. Too much excitation can lead to seizures and other neurological disorders, while too much inhibition can lead to depression and other mood disorders.

Drugs that target excitatory or inhibitory synapses can be used to treat a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. For example, drugs that enhance GABAergic inhibition are used to treat anxiety and epilepsy, while drugs that block glutamatergic excitation are being developed to treat schizophrenia and other disorders.

In summary, excitatory and inhibitory synapses play important roles in regulating the activity of neural circuits, and understanding their function is essential for developing new treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.