How does neurotransmitter signaling typically cease?

The typical cessation of neurotransmitter signaling primarily occurs through degradation by enzymes. This process involves specific enzymes breaking down neurotransmitters once they have completed their signaling functions, ensuring that the chemical messengers do not remain in the synaptic cleft indefinitely. For example, acetylcholine is broken down by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which allows for the termination of its action on postsynaptic receptors, thus preventing continuous stimulation.

While reuptake into the presynaptic neuron is also a mechanism that halts signaling, it is not the only method of ceasing neurotransmitter action and does not involve chemical breakdown. Continuous receptor activation would actually prolong the signaling rather than cease it, and increased neurotransmitter release would further contribute to signaling rather than terminate it. Thus, the degradation by enzymes serves as a critical method to regulate and terminate neurotransmission effectively.