autoreceptor

Autoreceptors are a type of receptor located on the presynaptic terminals of neurons. They are sensitive to the neurotransmitter released by that same neuron. These receptors play a role in regulating the release of neurotransmitters. When a neurotransmitter binds to an autoreceptor, it can either increase or decrease the further release of that neurotransmitter. This mechanism helps to fine-tune neuronal communication within the nervous system.1

The concept of autoreceptors is related to Dale's principle, which suggests that a neuron releases the same neurotransmitter at all of its axon terminals. Autoreceptors are one of the ways neurons can modulate their own activity and influence the overall balance of neural signaling.1