Skip to main content

Neuromodulation

Meaning

Neuromodulation is the physiological process by which a neuron uses one or more chemicals to regulate the diverse populations of neurons. It differs from direct neurotransmission in that the effect is not confined to a single synaptic cleft but affects a wider area of the brain or nervous system, often over a longer timescale. This mechanism is crucial for controlling global states like mood, arousal, sleep-wake cycles, and the central regulation of hormonal release.