Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) is a type of synaptic potential that makes a postsynaptic neuron less likely to generate an action potential. The opposite of an IPSP is an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP), which increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire an action potential.

Pronunciation

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential is pronounced as /ɪnˌhɪbɪˈtɔːri poʊstˈsaɪnæptɪk pəˈtɛnʃəl/.

Etymology

The term "Inhibitory postsynaptic potential" is derived from the following terms:

• Inhibitory: From the Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibere (to hold in, restrain), from in- (in) + habere (to have, hold).
• Postsynaptic: From the Greek post- (after) and synapsis (junction), referring to the neuron that receives the signal.
• Potential: From the Latin potentia (power, force), in this context referring to the potential difference across the neuron's membrane.

Function

An IPSP is the change in membrane voltage of a postsynaptic neuron which results from synaptic activation of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors. The most common inhibitory neurotransmitters in the nervous system are GABA and glycine.

Related terms

• Neuron
• Neurotransmitter
• Synapse
• Action potential
• Excitatory postsynaptic potential

See also

• Neurophysiology
• Neurotransmission
• Neural circuit

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Inhibitory postsynaptic potential
• Wikipedia's article - Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

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