What is the difference between an excitatory and inhibitory neuron?

Excitatory neurons release neurotransmitters that increase the likelihood of the firing action potential in the post-synaptic neuron, facilitating communication and signaling within neural circuits. In contrast, inhibitory neurons release neurotransmitters that decrease the likelihood of action potential firing, acting to dampen or regulate neural activity. This balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals is crucial for proper brain function, influencing processes like learning, memory, and overall neural network stability.