Synapse

A synapse is a specialized structure elaborated by neurons that allows for the propagation of information within the nervous system and from the nervous system to target tissues. The adult human brain has as many as 0.25 quadrillion synapses that utilize a variety of neurotransmitters, including glutamate, acetylcholine, and serotonin. Synapses serve to translate the ionic current propagated by axons into a chemical message that can cross from one neuron to another, thereby initiating another propagated ionic current. Information is encoded in the coordinated activity of multiple synapses and in the firing frequency of any given synapse. The integration of multiple synaptic inputs by a target neuron generates the complex input-output computations that underlie consciousness.

The positronic brain invented by Dr. Noonien Soong imitates the biological synaptic connectivity of the humanoid brain by forming a massively complex artificial neural network.

Dr. Richard Daystrom impressed his own synaptic "engrams" (patterns of synaptic connection hypothesized to encode memory) onto the circuits of the M-5 computer and compared the computer's electronic relays to synapses (TOS: "The Ultimate Computer").

A side-affect of the Ktarian game was very high synaptic activity. (TNG: "The Game")

After Deanna Troi, Miles O'Brien and Data were taken over my Ux-Mal criminals, the biofilter scans showed that their nervous systems were generating high levels of synaptic and anionic energy. (TNG: "Power Play")

When it was attempted to free Captain Jean Luc Picard from the influence of the Kataan probe, his synaptic responses were failing as a consequence of the interfering. (TNG: "The Inner Light")

In 2375, Julian Bashir managed to grow new synapses in Sarina Douglas' thalamus, reversing the defects created by genetic engineering. (DS9: "Chrysalis")

It is possible that devices such as the synaptic transceiver, the dataport, and the synaptic stimulator utilize direct integration of electronic circuitry into the synaptic structure of the brain, while devices such as the neurogenic interface may interact indirectly with patterns of synaptic activity. Likewise, computational implant devices such as the Borg cortical implant may integrate directly into the synaptic paths of the host brain.

Further references

• TNG:
  • "Skin of Evil"
  • "The Enemy"
  • "Ethics"
  • "Silicon Avatar"
  • "Inheritance"
  • "Masks"
  • "Emergence"
• DS9:
  • "Babel"
  • "The Passenger"
  • "Equilibrium"
  • "Life Support"
  • "The Muse"
  • "Rapture"
  • "One Little Ship"
  • "Far Beyond the Stars"
  • "Inquisition"
• ENT:
  • "Regeneration"
  • "The Aenar"