Retrograde Signaling in LTP

Retrograde Signaling In LTP

In neuroscience, retrograde signaling (retrograde neurotransmission) is the process by which a retrograde messenger, such as anandamide or nitric oxide, is released by a postsynaptic dendrite or cell body, and travels backwards across a chemical synapse to bind to the axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron. The primary purpose of retrograde neurotransmission is regulation of chemical neurotransmission. For this reason, retrograde neurotransmission allows neural circuits to create feedback loops. In the sense that retrograde neurotransmission mainly to regulate typical, anterograde neurotransmission, rather than to actually distribute any information, it is similar to electrical neurotransmission. In contrast with conventional (anterograde) neurotransmitters, retrograde neurotransmitters are synthesized in the postsynaptic neuron, and bind to receptors on the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron.

Endocannabinoids like anandamide are known to act as retrograde messengers, as is nitric oxide.

Retrograde signaling may also play a role in long-term potentiation, a proposed mechanism of learning and memory, although this is controversial.