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A Role for Nitric Oxide in Long-term Potentiation
Christelle Bon1, Georg Andrees Böhme, Adam Doble
1Rhône - Poulenc Rorer Central Research, Centre de Recherches de Vitry-Alfortville, 94403 Vitry-sur-Seine, France.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) is essential for hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in rats. Inhibiting NO production or scavenging NO blocks this crucial form of synaptic plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) production and hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) share commonalities, including N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor activation and calcium dependence.
- NO is implicated as a potential retrograde messenger in synaptic plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the necessity of endogenous nitric oxide production for synaptic plasticity in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus.
- To elucidate the role of NO in the induction and maintenance of LTP.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recording of LTP in rat hippocampal slices.
- Application of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (l-NG-nitroarginine, l-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester) to assess NO production blockade.
- Perfusion with hemoglobin to scavenge endogenous NO.
- Administration of hydroxylamine to locally release NO.
Main Results:
- LTP induction was concentration-dependently blocked by nitric oxide synthase inhibitors.
- Hemoglobin application also resulted in a concentration-dependent blockade of LTP.
- Locally released NO induced stable synaptic potentiation, not additive with high-frequency stimulation-induced LTP.
Conclusions:
- Endogenous nitric oxide production is a necessary component for synaptic plasticity in the CA1 hippocampus.
- These findings support the role of nitric oxide as a retrograde messenger in LTP.