EPSP vs IPSP: Key Differences in Neuron Excitation and Inhibition
EPSP (Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potential) is a brief depolarization that nudges a neuron toward firing, while IPSP (Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potential) is a hyperpolarization that pushes it further from firing. Students and clinicians often confuse the two because both are “post-synaptic potentials” measured in millivolts; the tiny prefix makes the difference between shouting “go” and whispering “stop”…