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Information about Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential

An Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (commonly abbreviated as 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.

A postsynaptic potential is considered inhibitory when the resulting change in membrane voltage makes it more difficult for the cell to fire an action potential, lowering the firing rate of the neuron. They are the opposite of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), which result from the flow of ions like glutamate into the cell.

Ionic basis of IPSP

At a typical inhibitory synapse the postsynaptic neural membrane permeability increases for positive potassium (K+) ions and/or negative chloride (Cl-) ions but not sodium (Na+) ions. This generally causes an influx of Cl- ions and/or efflux of K+ ions, thereby bringing the membrane potential closer to the equilibrium potential of these ions.

In addition IPSPs may be produced by closure of sodium or calcium channels.

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Membrane potential (or transmembrane potential or transmembrane potential difference or transmembrane potential gradient), is the electrical potential difference (voltage) across a cell's plasma membrane.
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Neurons (also known as neurones and nerve cells) are electrically excitable cells in the nervous system that process and transmit information. In vertebrate animals, neurons are the core components of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
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synapse. Synapses allow nerve cells to communicate with one another through axons and dendrites, converting electrical impulses into chemical signals.]]

Chemical synapses
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Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are used to relay, amplify and modulate signals between a neuron and another cell. According to the prevailing beliefs of the 1960s, a chemical can be classified as a neurotransmitter if it meets the following conditions:

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For other uses, see Receptor.


In biochemistry, a receptor is a protein on the cell membrane or within the cytoplasm or cell nucleus that binds to a specific molecule (a ligand), such as a neurotransmitter, hormone, or other substance, and initiates
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nervous system of an animal coordinates the activity of the muscles, monitors the organs, constructs and also stops input from the senses, and initiates actions. Prominent parts of a nervous system include neurons and nerves, which are used in coordination.
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Gaba may refer to:
  • GABA, the gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitter
  • GABA receptor, in biology, receptors with GABA as their endogenous ligand
  • Gabâ or gabaa (Philippines), the concept of negative karma of the Cebuano people

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For the plant, see .


Glycine (abbreviated as Gly or G)[1] is the organic compound with the formula HO2CCH2NH2.
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Postsynaptic potentials are changes in the membrane potential of the postsynaptic terminal of a chemical synapse. Postsynaptic potentials are graded potentials, and should not be confused with action potentials although their function is to initiate or inhibit action potentials.
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An action potential is a "spike" of electrical discharge that travels along the membrane of a cell. Action potentials are an essential feature of animal life, rapidly carrying information within and between tissues. They also occur in some plants.
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excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) is a temporary depolarization of postsynaptic membrane potential caused by the flow of positively charged ions into the postsynaptic cell.
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Potassium (IPA: /pə(ʊ)ˈtasiəm/, /pə'tæsiəm/) is a chemical element. It has the symbol K (Arabic: al qalja
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The chloride ion is formed when the element chlorine picks up one electron to form an anion (negatively-charged ion) Cl − . The salts of hydrochloric acid HCl contain chloride ions and can also be called chlorides.
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Sodium (IPA: /ˈsəʊdiəm/) is a chemical element which has the symbol Na (Latin: natrium), atomic number 11, atomic mass 22.9898 g/mol, common oxidation number +1.
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reversal potential (or Nernst potential) of a particular ion is the membrane voltage at which there is no net flow of ions from one side of the membrane to the other.
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eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996 by Scott Plantz and Richard Lavely, two medical doctors. It was sold to WebMD in January 2006.
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Dorland's is the brand name of several different medical dictionaries and ancillary products, chiefly Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary (currently in its 31st edition) and Dorland's Pocket Medical Dictionary (currently in its 27th edition).
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