Neurotransmitter Release

Understanding the mechanisms that underlie brain activity and function remains one of the major frontiers of biology. All the processes of how we co-ordinate our movements, sense our surroundings, react to stimuli and learn and retain information rely on complicated networks of neurons that communicate with each other and their targets. This fast and accurate intercellular signalling mostly occurs at synapses, specialized processes of neurons that release chemical signals, called neurotransmitters. This volume provides the reader with extensive background information on neurotransmitter release. It takes a multidisciplinary approach, but does not assume previous knowledge having basic introductions to most topics. Topics however are covered in enough detail to be of interest to experts in the field. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the rationale by which proteins are assigned specific functions rather than just providing facts about function.