Three Modes of Intercellular Neuronal Communication

Abstract

Publisher Summary Until rather recently, most neuroscientists held that intercellular communication between excitable cells was via specialized junctions called synapses and involved a process that is called neurotransmission. Such a conviction was eminently reasonable since that was the only form of communication known or for which there was any sound scientific evidence. In addition, many investigations have assumed that any naturally occurring neuroactive compound was, a priori , a neurotransmitter. Lately, however, results have been found about the ways that cells may communicate that appear to be sufficiently different in their characteristics and mechanisms from neurotransmission via neurotransmitters t o warrant different designations. These new modes of communication have been classified as neuromodulatory and neurohormonal communication. This chapter compares and contrasts them with neurotransmission and with each other. In addition, these modes of interneuronal communication are illustrated by the use of peptides, particularly the opioid peptides, a relative new area of neuroscience.