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Neural Excitability

Meaning

Neural excitability refers to the intrinsic capacity of a neuron or nerve cell to generate and propagate an electrical impulse, known as an action potential, in response to a stimulus. This fundamental property of the nervous system is determined by the balance of ion flow across the neuronal membrane, which is tightly regulated by voltage-gated ion channels and neurotransmitter activity. In the context of hormonal health, various hormones, including sex steroids and thyroid hormones, can modulate neural excitability, thereby influencing mood, cognitive function, and the overall central nervous system response to stimuli. Alterations in this excitability are central to conditions like epilepsy and certain psychiatric disorders.