What Is Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential?

Excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). It is a potential produced by an excitatory neurotransmitter acting on the post-synaptic membrane. When nerve impulses enter the nerve endings, excitatory neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of the post-synaptic membrane, improving the membrane's permeability to ions. This promotes the rapid inflow of sodium ions outside the membrane, causing a sharp increase in sodium ions inside the membrane, and the potential inside the membrane is higher than outside the membrane, causing depolarization of the post-synaptic membrane. Membrane potential decreases. It is the expression of excitement in the post-synaptic membrane. ^[1]

Excitatory postsynaptic potential

Excitatory postsynaptic potential

The excitatory postsynaptic potential in cat spinal motor neurons stimulates the centrifugal fibers of the corresponding Ia group to reach its peak within 1 1.5 milliseconds.

(1) The release of transmitters from the presynaptic membrane is caused by Ca2 + influx;

(2) The transmitter is released in the form of vesicles in the form of exocytosis;

(3) EPSP is a local potential, not an action potential;

(4) EPSP is caused by changes in ion permeability of the post-synaptic membrane and has nothing to do with the pre-synaptic membrane.