The drug-action atlas

Enter through a molecule, a synapse, or a brain circuit. Change the conditions and trace what happens next.

All learning models

Explore the system

Inside a working synapse

Follow an electrical signal into a chemical message, then trace its clearance and recycling.

Inside a working synapse

Diagram zoom

Original schematic. Positions show relationships; structures and concentrations are not to scale.

This combined teaching diagram compares monoamine clearance, an ionotropic response and glutamate–glia recycling. Most dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin receptors signal through G proteins, rather than directly opening a channel.

Action potential arrives

Electrical activity reaches the axon terminal.

Transmission step

Inspect a structure

Presynaptic axon terminal

Contains vesicles, synthesis machinery, and intracellular enzymes.

Animate the diagram

On a small screen, pan the diagram or increase zoom. Named controls provide the same exploration by keyboard.

Sources and model limits

Original schematic. Positions show relationships; structures and concentrations are not to scale.

Julien's Primer of Drug Action · 15 · 2 · Inside a working synapse · PDF 26, 27, 30, 31 · 2.11, 2.17, 2.18

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The drug-action atlas

Enter through a molecule, a synapse, or a brain circuit. Change the conditions and trace what happens next.

All learning models

Explore the system

Inside a working synapse

Follow an electrical signal into a chemical message, then trace its clearance and recycling.

Inside a working synapse

Diagram zoom

Original schematic. Positions show relationships; structures and concentrations are not to scale.

Action potential arrives

Electrical activity reaches the axon terminal.

Transmission step

Inspect a structure

Presynaptic axon terminal

Contains vesicles, synthesis machinery, and intracellular enzymes.

Animate the diagram

On a small screen, pan the diagram or increase zoom. Named controls provide the same exploration by keyboard.

Sources and model limits

Original schematic. Positions show relationships; structures and concentrations are not to scale.

Julien's Primer of Drug Action · 15 · 2 · Inside a working synapse · PDF 26, 27, 30, 31 · 2.11, 2.17, 2.18