Skip to main content

Synaptic Remodeling

Meaning

Synaptic remodeling is the continuous, activity-dependent process of altering the structure, function, and number of synapses, which are the specialized junctions between neurons. This dynamic restructuring involves the formation of new synapses (synaptogenesis), the elimination of old ones (pruning), and changes in the strength of existing connections (plasticity). It is a fundamental mechanism underlying learning, memory consolidation, and adaptation to environmental changes throughout the lifespan. Hormones, particularly neurosteroids, play a critical role in modulating the rate and pattern of this remodeling process.