Why is an ipsp inhibitory

This service is more advanced with JavaScript available. Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology Edition. Editors: Ian P. Contents Search. Authors Authors and affiliations Victoria L. Harvey Anthony H. They are the opposite of excitatory postsynaptic potentials EPSPs , which result from the flow of ions like glutamate into the cell. Template:WikiDoc Sources. Overview An Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential commonly abbreviated as IPSP is the change in membrane voltage of a postsynaptic neuron which results from synaptic activation of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors.

In addition IPSPs may be produced by closure of sodium or calcium channels. Employing the Z-transform to Optimize the calculation of the synaptic conductance of NMDA and other synaptic channels in network simulations. Neural Computation Hodgkin, A.

Quantitative description of membrane current and its application to conduction and excitation in nerve. An excitatory postsynaptic potentials EPSP is a temporary depolarization of postsynaptic membrane caused by the flow of positively charged ions into the postsynaptic cell as a result of opening of ligand-sensitive channels.

An EPSP is received when an excitatory presynaptic cell, connected to the dendrite, fires an action potential. The EPSP signal is propagated down the dendrite and is summed with other inputs at the axon hilllock.

The EPSP increases the neurons membrane potential. When the membrane potential reaches threshold the cell will produce an action potential and send the information down the axon to communicate with postsynaptic cells. The strength of the EPSP depends on the distance from the soma.