A neuron has three main parts — a soma, dendrites and axon (top illustration) — to send and receive signals to other cells in a neuronal network, in a human brain (bottom illustration).

Between the axon of a transmitting neuron and the dendrite of a receiving neuron is a gap called the synapse—the site at which signals are passed between the brain cells. The nervous system ...

These changes are termed intrinsic plasticity and can affect neuronal dendrites, somata or axons. Depending on the cellular compartment in which intrinsic plasticity occurs, local dendritic ...