Abstract
Using whole-cell recording from CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons and minimal stimulation of Schaffer collaterals, we have studied what seem to be single synapses. Although the transmission at a putative single synapse is quite unreliable, the synapse can be made to release transmitter reliably in response to the second stimulus in a pair of stimuli that are presented in rapid succession (e.g., 50 ms separation). Statistical analysis of transmission failures seen with such paired pulse stimulation reveals that the majority of stimulus-evoked synaptic currents (>90%) are produced by a single synapse under the conditions of minimal stimulation, even if multiple synapses are actually present. Individual synapses appear to release either zero or one quantum; that is, a single synapse seems to have only one functional release site at any time. After the release site has been used, ∼20 ms is required to refill the site so that it can be used again.
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