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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Investigating Long-term Synaptic Plasticity in Interlamellar Hippocampus CA1 by Electrophysiological Field Recording
Published on: August 11, 2019
Early presynaptic changes during plasticity in cultured hippocampal neurons
Ipe Ninan1, Shumin Liu, Daniel Rabinowitz
1Taub Institute and Department of Pathology, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10032, USA.
Synaptic potentiation, crucial for learning, involves presynaptic (prS) terminal remodeling. New release sites form, and existing ones increase release probability, preceding postsynaptic (pstS) AMPA receptor changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Long-lasting synaptic strength increase underlies learning and memory.
- Postsynaptic (pstS) AMPA receptor dynamics during potentiation are well-studied.
- Presynaptic (prS) terminal changes during potentiation remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presynaptic (prS) terminal's role in synaptic potentiation.
- To identify mechanisms of new release site formation during potentiation.
- To determine if presynaptic (prS) changes precede postsynaptic (pstS) modifications.
Main Methods:
- Cultured hippocampal neurons were used to study synaptic potentiation.
- Presynaptic (prS) markers, including Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein-2, were analyzed.
- Changes in release site dynamics and probability were quantified.
Main Results:
- New presynaptic (prS) release sites formed via conversion, de novo formation, and budding.
- Potentiation increased release probability in pre-existing presynaptic (prS) boutons.
- These presynaptic (prS) changes preceded and regulated postsynaptic (pstS) GluR1 fluorescence.
Conclusions:
- Synaptic potentiation involves early presynaptic (prS) terminal remodeling.
- Presynaptic (prS) release probability increases contribute to potentiation.
- Presynaptic (prS) modifications are critical regulators of postsynaptic (pstS) plasticity.
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