An excitatory synapse is a synapse in which an action potential in the presynaptic cell increases the probability of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic cell (see also: EPSP)).
At an excitatory synapse, the neurotransmitter opens sodium (Na+) channels, a slight depolarization of the receiving neuron occurs because of the movement of the positively charged sodium ions into the cell.
See also
Sometimes the opposite happens, then all hell breaks loose.
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