interneuron

noun

in·​ter·​neu·​ron ˌin-tər-ˈnu̇r-ˌän How to pronounce interneuron (audio) -ˈnyu̇r- How to pronounce interneuron (audio)
: a neuron that conveys impulses from one neuron to another
interneuronal adjective

Examples of interneuron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Another potential explanation for the effectiveness of 40-hertz stimulation is the discovery that interneurons —a subset of neurons— produce certain peptides in far greater quantities following treatment. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 For example, in the human cortex, about 20 percent of the neurons — the ones called interneurons, which have inhibitory effects — migrate there from a center deeper down in the brain called the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE). Quanta Magazine, 9 Aug. 2017 An oversimplified organoid model for the cortex would be missing all those interneurons and would therefore be useless for studying how the developing brain balances its excitatory and inhibitory signals. Quanta Magazine, 9 Aug. 2017 Picking one, MiR206, for closer examination, the two researchers created a mouse strain in which the gene for MiR206 was switched off in the parvalbumin interneurons. The Economist, 22 Feb. 2018 He and his colleague Molly Heyer therefore looked at the role of these micro-RNAs in regulating brain cells called parvalbumin interneurons, which are thought to be involved in schizophrenia. The Economist, 22 Feb. 2018 Yang and his team also found that SOM and PV interneurons had less activity. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 27 June 2017 Around those pain-signaling neurons are several types of interneurons that precisely regulate and control pain signals. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 27 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interneuron.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interneuron was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near interneuron

Cite this Entry

“Interneuron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interneuron. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

interneuron

noun
: a neuron that carries a nerve impulse from one neuron to another

Medical Definition

interneuron

noun
variants or British interneurone
: a neuron that conveys impulses from one neuron to another

called also association neuron, associative neuron, internuncial, internuncial neuron

compare motor neuron, sensory neuron
interneuronal adjective

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