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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.

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 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.

Integration of Synaptic Events

Integration of Synaptic Events

Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...

Analgesia and Pain Management

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation

Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation

Published on: June 26, 2013

Hyperalgesia by synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP): an update.

Jürgen Sandkühler¹, Doris Gruber-Schoffnegger

¹Medical University of Vienna, Center for Brain Research, Department of Neurophysiology, Spitalgasse 4, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. juergen.sandkuehler@meduniwien.ac.at

Current Opinion in Pharmacology

|November 15, 2011

Summary

Long-term potentiation (LTP) in pain pathways mirrors hyperalgesia, offering a cellular model for amplified pain. Targeting LTP presents a novel therapeutic strategy for pain management.

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Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation

Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation

Published on: June 26, 2013

Long-term Potentiation of Perforant Pathway-dentate Gyrus Synapse in Freely Behaving Mice

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Published on: November 29, 2013

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Pain Research
Cellular Biology

Background:

Long-term potentiation (LTP) in nociceptive pathways shares key features with hyperalgesia.
LTP serves as a cellular model for pain amplification after injury or opioid withdrawal.

Purpose of the Study:

To review progress in understanding LTP in the nociceptive system.
To identify methods for preventing and reversing LTP in pain pathways.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent research on LTP in nociception.
Analysis of shared characteristics between LTP and hyperalgesia.
Examination of therapeutic targets for LTP.

Main Results:

LTP induction protocols, pharmacology, and involved cell types resemble hyperalgesia.
LTP at nociceptive nerve fiber synapses is a model for pain amplification.
Potential strategies for preventing and reversing LTP have been identified.

Conclusions:

LTP in nociceptive pathways is a crucial target for novel pain therapies.
Understanding LTP mechanisms is key to developing effective pain management strategies.
Further research into LTP reversal could lead to significant clinical advancements.