Synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal slice: functional consequences

• Published in: Journal of neuroscience methods 1995-06, Vol.59 (1), p.11-17
• Main Authors: Teyler, T.J., Cavus, I., Coussens, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Calcium; Calcium Channels - physiology; Central nervous system; Central neurotransmission. Neuromudulation. Pathways and receptors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hippocampus; Hippocampus - physiology; Long-term depression; Long-term potentiation; Long-Term Potentiation - physiology; Models, Neurological; Neuronal Plasticity - physiology; NMDA receptor; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - physiology; Synapses - physiology; Synaptic plasticity; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Voltage-dependent calcium channel
• ISSN: 0165-0270; 1872-678X
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-0270(94)00188-M

There are 3 known forms of synaptic plasticity at CNS synapses: long-term potentiation (LTP) mediated by NMDA receptor activation, LTP mediated by voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) activation, and long-term depression (LTD) mediated by the NMDA receptor. All 3 forms of synaptic plasticity can be observed in hippocampal CA1 cells, all are induced by afferent activation, all involve Ca 2+ influx, and all activate Ca 2+-dependent mechanisms. We consider the functional consequences of the presence of 3, sometime opposing, forms of synaptic plasticity at the same synapse. We suggest that the 2 forms of LTP have different consequences for the synapse. We postulate that the co-existence of potentiating and depressing capabilities influences the network processing capabilities of neural networks.