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Related Concept Videos

Long-term Potentiation01:35

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Long-term Potentiation01:25

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Long-term Depression01:05

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Trace Fear Conditioning in Mice
07:02

Trace Fear Conditioning in Mice

Published on: March 20, 2014

Macromolecular synthesis, distributed synaptic plasticity, and fear conditioning.

Fred J Helmstetter1, Ryan G Parsons, Georgette M Gafford

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA. fjh@uwm.edu

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
|November 3, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Experience alters gene expression, forming the basis for long-term memory storage. This review examines how molecular changes, including mTOR signaling in the amygdala and hippocampus, contribute to memory formation and stability.

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Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

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Published on: March 20, 2014

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Published on: April 5, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Gene expression changes are crucial for memory formation.
  • Experience-dependent alterations in gene expression provide a molecular basis for memory storage.
  • Aversive Pavlovian conditioning in rats is a key model for studying these processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent studies on experience-dependent gene expression and memory.
  • To highlight challenges in using broad-spectrum inhibitors for memory research.
  • To discuss the role of local protein synthesis and the mTOR pathway in memory.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on gene expression and memory.
  • Analysis of studies using aversive Pavlovian conditioning in rats.
  • Examination of experiments investigating the mTOR signaling pathway.

Main Results:

  • Experience-dependent gene expression changes are fundamental to memory.
  • Broad-spectrum inhibitors present challenges in studying cellular memory mechanisms.
  • Local protein synthesis in dendrites may be involved in memory maintenance and disruption.
  • The mTOR pathway plays a role in memory formation in the amygdala and hippocampus.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular changes driven by experience are essential for memory.
  • Further research is needed to understand the precise mechanisms of memory formation and maintenance.
  • Targeting specific pathways like mTOR offers insights into memory processes.