neurotransmission
C2Formal, Technical, Academic
Definition
Meaning
The process by which nerve cells (neurons) communicate with each other or with target cells by releasing chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.
This refers to the entire physiological mechanism of signal transfer across a synapse or neuroeffector junction, including neurotransmitter synthesis, release, receptor binding, and termination of signal.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term specifically denotes the functional process of chemical signalling. It is often used in contrast to 'neuroconduction' (electrical signal propagation along a neuron) and 'neuromodulation' (a broader, slower regulatory process).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. The term is identical in both standard varieties.
Connotations
None beyond its strict scientific meaning.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both varieties, confined almost exclusively to scientific and medical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The disruption of neurotransmission in XNeurotransmission at the Y junctionA key role in Z neurotransmissionTo enhance/inhibit neurotransmissionVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The brain's chemical conversation (a loose metaphorical idiom for neurotransmission)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare; might appear in biotech/pharma company reports or investment analyses: 'The drug targets serotonin neurotransmission.'
Academic
Primary usage context. Found in neuroscience, psychology, physiology, and pharmacology literature: 'The paper investigates glutamatergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in medical and life sciences: 'The anaesthetic works by depressing GABAergic neurotransmission.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The chemical is thought to neurotransmit signals across the gap. (Note: 'neurotransmit' is very rare; 'transmit' is preferred.)
American English
- The researchers are studying how the cells neurotransmit information. (Rare)
adverb
British English
- The signal was transferred neurotransmissionally. (Extremely rare)
American English
- The system functions neurotransmissionally. (Extremely rare)
adjective
British English
- The neurotransmission pathway was mapped.
- It had a clear neurotransmission function.
American English
- Key neurotransmission processes were identified.
- The neurotransmission mechanism was elucidated.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Certain drugs can alter neurotransmission in the brain.
- Neurotransmission is essential for all brain activity.
- The study focused on cholinergic neurotransmission and its role in memory formation.
- Many psychiatric disorders are linked to dysregulation of monoamine neurotransmission.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a NEURON sending a TRANSMISSION. 'Neuro' (nerve) + 'transmission' (sending a signal) = the nerve signal-sending process.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEUROTRANSMISSION IS A CHEMICAL MESSAGE / NEUROTRANSMISSION IS A LOCK-AND-KEY MECHANISM (neurotransmitter as key, receptor as lock).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque like 'нервопередача'. The standard Russian equivalent is 'нейромедиация' or 'синаптическая передача'.
- Do not confuse with 'нервная проводимость' (nerve conduction), which is the electrical part.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'neurotransmition' or 'neuro-transmission' (the hyphen is not standard in modern usage).
- Using it as a synonym for any nervous system function, rather than the specific chemical process at synapses.
Practice
Quiz
Neurotransmission most accurately refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An electrical impulse (action potential) travels *along* a neuron. Neurotransmission is the subsequent chemical process that carries the signal *between* neurons (or to a muscle/gland) across a tiny gap called a synapse.
A neurotransmitter (e.g., serotonin, dopamine) is the chemical messenger molecule itself. Neurotransmission is the entire process that involves the release, action, and cleanup of that neurotransmitter.
It is a core term in neuroscience, neuropharmacology, biological psychology, neurology, and psychiatry.
Yes. Most classical neurotransmission (e.g., glutamate, GABA) is fast, acting in milliseconds. Neuromodulation (e.g., by serotonin) is a slower, more diffuse form of chemical signalling that can alter the effectiveness of fast neurotransmission.