Discrete synaptic states define a major mechanism of synapse plasticity

• Published in: Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) 2004-12, Vol.27 (12), p.744-750
• Main Authors: Montgomery, Johanna M., Madison, Daniel V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brain research; Cells; Central nervous system; Central Nervous System - physiology; Central neurotransmission. Neuromudulation. Pathways and receptors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Models. Methods; Models, Biological; Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism; Neuronal Plasticity - physiology; Receptors, AMPA - metabolism; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - metabolism; Synapses - metabolism; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0166-2236; 1878-108X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2004.10.006

Synapses can change their strength in response to afferent activity, a property that might underlie a variety of neural processes such as learning, network synaptic weighting, synapse formation and pruning. Recent work has shown that synapses change their strength by jumping between discrete mechanistic states, rather than by simply moving up and down in a continuum of efficacy. Coincident with this, studies have provided a framework for understanding the potential mechanistic underpinnings of synaptic plastic states. Synaptic plasticity states not only represent a new and fundamental property of CNS synapses, but also can provide a context for understanding outstanding issues in synaptic function, plasticity and development.