excitatory postsynaptic potential


ex·cit·a·to·ry post·syn·ap·tic po·ten·tial (EPSP),

the change in potential that is produced in the membrane of the next neuron when an impulse that has an excitatory influence arrives at the synapse; it is a local change in the direction of depolarization; summation of these potentials can lead to discharge of an impulse by the neuron.

ex·cit·a·to·ry post·syn·ap·tic po·ten·tial

(ek-sī'tă-tōr-ē pōst'si-nap'tik pŏ-ten'shăl) The change in potential that is produced in the membrane of the next neuron when an impulse that has an excitatory influence arrives at the synapse; it is a local change in the direction of depolarization; summation of these potentials can lead to discharge of an impulse by the neuron.

excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)

a reduction in the RESTING POTENTIAL of a postsynaptic cell caused by the arrival of TRANSMITTER SUBSTANCE from the presynaptic cell. The reduction takes the membrane potential close to the THRESHOLD and, therefore, nearer to itself forming an ACTION POTENTIAL. see FACILITATION.