Explore the system
The NMDA coincidence gate
Combine transmitter binding and membrane depolarization to explore calcium entry and plasticity.
Sources and model limits
Original schematic. Positions show relationships; structures and concentrations are not to scale.
- Julien's Primer of Drug Action · 15 · 2 · The NMDA coincidence gate · PDF 30 · 2.17
- Professor deck 3 · NMDA activation conditions · PDF 32, 33, 34, 35
Course notes and existing practice
Learning objective
Distinguish changing connections among neurons from producing new neurons.
Connections can change
The course describes synaptic plasticity as rewiring: forming, modifying, or eliminating synaptic connections as experience and development proceed. Its examples include dendritic spine growth and later pruning. Changing connection structure is not the same event as adding a neuron.
New neurons are a different category
Neurogenesis means producing new neurons. The deck introduces a neurogenic theory of depression and antidepressant action as a theoretical framing. This lesson does not infer that all learning requires neurogenesis or that producing new neurons is a universal explanation of treatment or recovery.
- Synaptic plasticity
- Changes in synaptic connections, including the formation and elimination emphasized by the course.
- Neurogenesis
- The production of new neurons.
- Synaptic pruning
- Elimination of some synaptic connections during remodeling.
Professor deck 2, PDF pages 25, 26, 27. Explanation and terminology are paraphrased course material. Examples and study prompts are original, unscored teaching aids. Source conformance is separate from scientific or clinical review.
Worked examples are original instructional illustrations; they are not professor quotations or exam requirements.