A core learning objective of undergraduate neuroscience education is an understanding of synaptic function and neurotransmission. This article presents a critical thinking activity in which students explore and evaluate neurotransmitter function at the synapse. Students analyze fictional datasets to identify fundamental processes involved in synaptic function, first following evoked neurotransmitter release and then in response to two "mystery" drugs. The activity requires students to synthesize information from multiple datasets in order to interpret data and figures, skills crucial to science literacy. Students' self-reported perceptions and declarative knowledge following the activity suggest that this activity promoted critical thinking and deep learning related to synaptic function. The activity is amenable to collaborative, team-based learning and can be modified for a range of undergraduate courses in neuroscience, psychology and biology.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6312135 | PMC |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Developmental deficits, synapse and dendritic abnormalities in a Clcn4 KO autism mice model: endophenotypic target for ASD.
Transl Psychiatry
January 2025
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Dongguk University, School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is linked to ion channel dysfunction, including chloride voltage-gated channel-4 (CLCN4). We generated Clcn4 knockout (KO) mice by deleting exon 5 of chromosome 7 in the C57BL/6 mice. Clcn4 KO exhibited reduced social interaction and increased repetitive behaviors assessed using three-chamber and marble burying tests.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSynPull: An advanced method for studying neurodegeneration-related aggregates in synaptosomes using super-resolution microscopy.
Cell Chem Biol
January 2025
Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK. Electronic address:
Synaptic dysfunction is a primary hallmark of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, leading to cognitive and behavioral decline. While alpha-synuclein, beta-amyloid, and tau are involved in the physiological functioning of synapses, their pathological aggregation has been linked to synaptopathology. The methodology for studying the small-soluble protein aggregates formed by these proteins is limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEmerging roles for tubulin PTMs in neuronal function and neurodegenerative disease.
Curr Opin Neurobiol
January 2025
Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 10032, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address:
Neurons are equipped with microtubules of different stability with stable and dynamic domains often coexisting on the same microtubule. While dynamic microtubules undergo random transitions between disassembly and assembly, stable ones persist long enough to serve as platforms for tubulin-modifying enzymes (known as writers) that attach molecular components to the α- or β-tubulin subunits. The combination of these posttranslational modifications (PTMs) results in a "tubulin code," dictating the behavior of selected proteins (known as readers), some of which were shown to be crucial for neuronal function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCellular Cholesterol Loss Impairs Synaptic Vesicle Mobility via the CAMK2/Synapsin-1 Signaling Pathway.
Front Biosci (Landmark Ed)
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 201508 Shanghai, China.
Background: Neuronal cholesterol deficiency may contribute to the synaptopathy observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Intact synaptic vesicle (SV) mobility is crucial for normal synaptic function, whereas disrupted SV mobility can trigger the synaptopathy associated with AD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffects of Dual-Site Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Attention, Decision-Making, and Working Memory during Sports Fatigue in Elite Soccer Athletes.
J Integr Neurosci
January 2025
Sports, Exercise and Brain Sciences Laboratory, Sports Coaching College, Beijing Sport University, 100084 Beijing, China.
Background: Sports fatigue in soccer athletes has been shown to decrease neural activity, impairing cognitive function and negatively affecting motor performance. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can alter cortical excitability, augment synaptic plasticity, and enhance cognitive function. However, its potential to ameliorate cognitive impairment during sports fatigue remains largely unexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!