In neuroscience

Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...

, retrograde signaling is a phenomenon in which a signal travels from a postsynaptic neuron

Neuron

A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...

 to a presynaptic one. Endocannabinoids are known to play a role in retrograde signaling, with the molecules being synthesized postsynaptically and acting presynaptically. Retrograde signaling may also play a role in long-term potentiation

Long-term potentiation

In neuroscience, long-term potentiation is a long-lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons that results from stimulating them synchronously. It is one of several phenomena underlying synaptic plasticity, the ability of chemical synapses to change their strength...

, a proposed mechanism of learning and memory, although this is controversial (see Retrograde signaling in LTP

Retrograde signaling in LTP

As it pertains to long-term potentiation , retrograde signaling is a hypothesis describing how events underlying LTP may begin in the postsynaptic neuron but be propagated to the presynaptic neuron, even though normal communication across a chemical synapse occurs in a presynaptic to postsynaptic...

).