Inhibitory postsynaptic current

In neurobiology, an Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Current (IPSC) or Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potential (IPSP), and its complementary process Excitatory Post-Synaptic Current (EPSC) or Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potential, are thought to be the foundational concepts that underlie the basic features of neurotransmission in mammalian cells.

For example, in elementary neurochemistry an IPSC may inhibit the formation of an action potential by changing the ion concentration in the cell, thus perturbing the resting potential of the cell so that voltage gated ion channels are less likely activated. That is, a voltage-gated ion channel opens when the membrane potential exceeds or reaches a certain threshold amplitude. The strength of this voltage signal is determined by the gradient of the ions across the membrane, which is really a potential difference over a distance (the width of the plasma membrane). Thus, on the post-synaptic side of the cleft, when a biologically induced current is applied, a flow of ions occurs over the membrane. This flow alters the ion content of the cleft, consequently changing the gradient of ions over the membrane, which in turn either inhibits or excites the nascent response of the voltage gated channel.

A typical IPSC in the central nervous system occurs via the neurotransmitter GABA, while a typical IPSC in the peripheral nervous system occurs via glycine.

At the site of the post synaptic neuron, GABA or glycine will typically induce an influx of Cl2- ions, or an efflux of K+ ions. This will have the effect of (normally) hyperpolarizing the cell, reducing its capacity to reach threshold, and produce an action potential.

Such inhibitory/excitatory responses are highly nuanced and largely based on the particular channel type in the membrane of the neuron and the particular action of the neuron under investigation. See below for some introductory articles.