SIGNALING AT THE SYNAPSE - REGULATION OF THE POSTSYNAPTIC RESPONSE TOQUANTAL TRANSMITTER RELEASE

Communication between neurones in the central nervous system occurs at specialized synaptic contacts. The strength of a synaptic signal is p recisely regulated, and modification of synaptic strength is important in complex brain functions such as learning, and in the formation of appropriate neural maps during development. The fundamental building b lock of synaptic signalling is the post-synaptic current generated in response to the pre-synaptic release of a quantum of neurotransmitter. The present short review examines the factors that determine the quan tal post-synaptic current, and provides direct evidence from a recent study in the author's laboratory that regulation of quantal size is im portant during development of excitatory transmission in the auditory system.