Do convergence and divergence of neurotransmitter effects occur in single neurons?

Sourav PanSeptember 24, 2024

Answered

Yes, convergence and divergence of neurotransmitter effects can occur in single neurons, and these processes are crucial for the integration and modulation of neuronal signaling.

Convergence

Definition: Convergence refers to the phenomenon where multiple neurotransmitters or signals from different sources influence a single neuron or a single type of receptor on that neuron.

Mechanism:

• A single neuron can receive inputs from various presynaptic neurons that release different neurotransmitters. For example, a neuron might receive excitatory inputs from glutamate and inhibitory inputs from GABA or glycine.
• These different neurotransmitters can activate their respective receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, leading to a summation of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs and IPSPs).
• The integration of these signals occurs at the axon hillock, where the neuron decides whether to fire an action potential based on the overall excitatory or inhibitory input it receives.

Divergence

Definition: Divergence refers to the ability of a single neurotransmitter to activate multiple receptor subtypes or to influence multiple downstream pathways, leading to different effects in different target cells or within the same neuron.

Mechanism:

• A single neurotransmitter, such as glutamate, can bind to various receptor subtypes (e.g., AMPA, NMDA, and metabotropic glutamate receptors) on the same neuron or on different neurons. Each receptor subtype can mediate distinct cellular responses.
• For instance, activation of AMPA receptors may lead to fast excitatory transmission, while activation of NMDA receptors can lead to slower, longer-lasting effects and play a role in synaptic plasticity.
• Additionally, the same neurotransmitter can activate different intracellular signaling pathways depending on the receptor subtype engaged, leading to diverse effects such as changes in ion channel conductance, gene expression, or metabolic activity.