Synaptic signaling is the fundamental biological process and academic concept describing the communication between neurons or between a neuron and a target cell (like muscle or gland cells) at specialized junctions called synapses. As a research field, it investigates the intricate molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurotransmitter synthesis, release, receptor binding, postsynaptic signal transduction, and the dynamic modulation of synaptic strength (plasticity), which are critical for neural circuit function, information processing, learning, memory, and behavior.