What is the Origin of Neural Receptor Sensitivity?

This concept is borrowed from pharmacology and neuroendocrinology, describing the affinity and efficacy of a receptor protein for its binding partner. Sensitivity is a measure of biological gain within the nervous system. Alterations in receptor density or conformation directly impact neurological and endocrine signaling fidelity.

What is the Mechanism of Neural Receptor Sensitivity?

Sensitivity is modulated by chronic exposure to ligands, membrane receptor trafficking, and post-translational modifications like phosphorylation. For instance, prolonged exposure to high levels of a hormone can lead to receptor internalization or desensitization, effectively reducing the neuron's response threshold. Conversely, periods of low ligand exposure can cause upregulation, increasing the number of available receptors to capture scarce signals.

Neural Receptor Sensitivity

Meaning

Neural Receptor Sensitivity refers to the responsiveness of neuronal cell surface receptors to their specific neurotransmitter or hormone ligands, which dictates the strength of the resulting cellular signal. High sensitivity means a small concentration of ligand produces a robust downstream effect, whereas low sensitivity, or downregulation, requires a higher ligand concentration to elicit the same response. This metric is critical in determining the functional impact of circulating signaling molecules, including neurosteroids.