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Published on: January 4, 2010
Mechanisms of synaptic depression triggered by metabotropic glutamate receptors
C Bellone1, C Lüscher, M Mameli
1Dept. of Basic Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Glutamate, by activation of metabotropic receptors (mGluRs), can lead to a reduction of synaptic efficacy at many synapses. These forms of synaptic plasticity are referred to as long-term depression (mGluR-LTD). We will distinguish between mGluR-LTD induced by pre- or postsynaptic receptors and mGluR-LTD induced by the locus of the expression mechanism of the synaptic depression. We will also review recent evidence that mGluR-mediated responses themselves are subject to depression, which may constitute a form of metaplasticity.
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