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Neurotransmitter Recycling

Meaning

Neurotransmitter recycling is the essential, continuous physiological process by which synaptic vesicles are replenished with signaling molecules after they have been released into the synaptic cleft and subsequently cleared. This highly regulated process includes the reuptake of neurotransmitters or their precursors back into the presynaptic terminal, their enzymatic degradation, and the synthesis of new neurotransmitters. Efficient recycling is paramount for maintaining sustained, high-fidelity neural communication, directly impacting mood, cognition, and motor control. Dysregulation in this cycle is implicated in numerous neurological and psychiatric conditions.