SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549




                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 27, 2001

                       SYNAPTIC PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                                    Delaware
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

                               0-27324 22-285-9704
          (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                                215 College Road
                         Paramus, New Jersey 07652-1431
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (201) 261-1331








Item 5.           Other Events.

     On  November 27, 2001, Synaptic  Pharmaceutical Corporation (the "Company")
issued a press release announcing the implementation of a CEO succession plan.







     A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K and
is incorporated by reference herein.






Item 7.           Exhibits.

Exhibit No.
----------

99        Press Release dated November 27, 2001








                                   SIGNATURES

                  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                           SYNAPTIC PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
                                           (Registrant)

                                           By: /s/ Kathleen P. Mullinix
                                               -------------------------------
                                               Name: Kathleen P. Mullinix
                                               Title: President and
                                                        Chief Executive Officer