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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
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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.

Traumatic Memory

Traumatic Memory

Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual remembers mundane...

Long-Term Memory

Long-Term Memory

Long-term memory is a relatively permanent type of memory, capable of storing vast amounts of information over extended periods. Its storage capacity is generally considered unlimited.
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...

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

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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: May 14, 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

Lifetime memories from persistently supple synapses.

Aryeh Routtenberg¹

¹Departments of Psychology, Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. aryeh@northwestern.edu

|January 29, 2013

Summary

Long-lasting memory may arise from dynamic, malleable synapses rather than stable structures. This "supple synapse" model explains how the brain integrates new information and allows for flexible memory retrieval.

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Investigation of Synaptic Tagging/Capture and Cross-capture using Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rodents

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Published on: September 4, 2015

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

Published on: January 4, 2010

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 14, 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

Investigation of Synaptic Tagging/Capture and Cross-capture using Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rodents

Investigation of Synaptic Tagging/Capture and Cross-capture using Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rodents

Published on: September 4, 2015

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

Published on: January 4, 2010

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Memory Research

Background:

Traditional views suggest memory permanence relies on stabilized synaptic structures and sparse coding.
Sparse coding, where a few neurons store information, is supported by studies in the amygdala and hippocampus.
This stabilization model faces challenges integrating new learning and maintaining brain plasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose an alternative model for long-lasting memory based on synaptic malleability.
To challenge the concept of memory permanence derived from synaptic stabilization.
To introduce the 'supple synapse' model as a substrate for memory.

Main Methods:

Theoretical proposal based on existing neurobiological principles.
Critique of the synaptic stabilization and sparse coding models of memory.
Integration of concepts like metabolic protein turnover and synaptic plasticity.

Main Results:

Proposes that long-lasting memory originates from evanescent networks linked by supple synapses.
Suggests synaptic malleability is crucial for integrating new information and flexible retrieval.
Challenges the time-dependent view of memory consolidation, proposing a space-dependent alternative.

Conclusions:

The 'supple synapse' model offers a framework where memory permanence is dynamic, not static.
Synaptic suppleness allows for essential brain circuitry malleability for information processing.
Memory consolidation may be better understood as a space-dependent process rather than time-dependent.