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Long-term Potentiation

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...

Long-term Potentiation

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 Depression

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.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over time, all...

Long-term Depression

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.

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software

Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software

Published on: September 27, 2024

Learning rules and persistence of dendritic spines.

Haruo Kasai¹, Tatsuya Hayama, Motoko Ishikawa

¹Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and Center for NanoBio Integration, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. hkasai@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp

The European Journal of Neuroscience

|July 22, 2010

Summary

Spine structural plasticity, or spine learning rules, explains how the brain physically forms memories. This spontaneous generation, selection, and strengthening (SGSS) mechanism is key to learning and cognition.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software

Dendritic Spine Quantification Using an Automatic Three-Dimensional Neuron Reconstruction Software

Published on: September 27, 2024

3D Modeling of Dendritic Spines with Synaptic Plasticity

3D Modeling of Dendritic Spines with Synaptic Plasticity

Published on: May 18, 2020

Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons

Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons

Published on: July 13, 2011

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Cognitive Science

Background:

Structural plasticity of dendritic spines is crucial for learning, memory, and cognition in the cerebral cortex.
Understanding the rules governing spine plasticity is essential for elucidating memory formation mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize fifteen rules of spine structural plasticity, termed 'spine learning rules.'
To propose the spontaneous generation, selection, and strengthening (SGSS) of spines as the physical basis for learning and memory.
To explore the cellular, molecular, and regulatory underpinnings of these spine learning rules.

Main Methods:

Review and synthesis of existing literature on dendritic spine plasticity.
Description of the spontaneous generation, selection, and strengthening (SGSS) mechanism.
Elucidation of cellular and molecular bases, including actin polymerization and the 'memory gel' concept.

Main Results:

Fifteen 'spine learning rules' are summarized, collectively explaining spine structural plasticity.
The SGSS mechanism is proposed as the physical basis for learning and memory, consistent with Hebb's rule.
The critical role of actin polymerization in forming a 'memory gel' for synaptic selection and strengthening is highlighted.

Conclusions:

The SGSS mechanism and spine learning rules provide a framework for understanding how synaptic plasticity contributes to memory.
Structural plasticity of dendritic spines is integral to neuronal network function and cognitive processes.
Further research into transcriptional and translational regulation of structural plasticity is warranted.