Non-synaptic release from dense-cored vesicles occurs at all terminal types in crayfish neuropile

In the crayfish neuropile, dense-cored vesicles (DCV) have been found in chemical terminals, mixed in with round or pleomorphic agranular synaptic vesicles, as well as in electrical terminals and neurohemal endings. DCV release their content at unspecialized non-synaptic sites. The simultaneous exocytosis of DCV and synaptic vesicles seems to be the rule in chemical terminals. DCV in specific terminals suggest non-synaptic communication. In chemical and electrical terminals, the content of DCV could have a neuromodulatory function. © 1989.