neurocommunication

Neurocommunication refers to the processes by which information is transmitted within the nervous system and between the nervous system and other body systems. It encompasses cellular and molecular signaling, neural connectivity, and the dynamic patterns of activity that underlie sensation, movement, memory, and thought.

At the cellular level, neurons communicate primarily through electrical impulses called action potentials that propagate along axons, and chemical signaling at synapses. Neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft bind to receptors on the postsynaptic cell, producing excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic potentials that influence downstream activity. Electrical synapses via gap junctions and non-neuronal cells such as glia also contribute to neurocommunication by shaping timing, synchrony, and metabolic support. Neuromodulators such as dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine can reconfigure network states, altering salience, learning, and plasticity without directly triggering fixed responses.

The study of neurocommunication spans molecular, cellular, systems, and computational levels. Researchers employ electrophysiology, neuroimaging, optogenetics, and mathematical modelling to map circuits, assess connectivity, and understand how changes in signaling contribute to disease or adaptation.

Applications include clinical neuromodulation therapies, brain–computer interfaces, and pharmacological interventions aimed at restoring or enhancing communication within damaged or dysfunctional networks. Ethical considerations address privacy, safety, and the societal impact of technologies that interface with neural signaling.