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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...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena01:15

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
Long-term Depression01:03

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 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.
Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience
08:14

Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience

Published on: August 26, 2014

Rapid, transient synaptic plasticity in addiction.

Cassandra D Gipson1, Yonatan M Kupchik, Peter W Kalivas

  • 1Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., BSB 403, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.

Neuropharmacology
|May 4, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Chronic drug use alters brain circuits, increasing relapse risk. Rapid, cue-induced brain changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) drive compulsive drug seeking and relapse.

Keywords:
AddictionRelapseSynaptic plasticity

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Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience
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Long-term Potentiation of Perforant Pathway-dentate Gyrus Synapse in Freely Behaving Mice
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Using Optogenetics to Reverse Neuroplasticity and Inhibit Cocaine Seeking in Rats
09:43

Using Optogenetics to Reverse Neuroplasticity and Inhibit Cocaine Seeking in Rats

Published on: October 5, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Addiction Research
  • Molecular Psychiatry

Background:

  • Chronic drug use causes lasting changes in brain circuitry, particularly the corticostriatal glutamatergic pathway.
  • The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is crucial for integrating information and regulating behavior, showing long-term adaptations after drug exposure.
  • These adaptations may explain heightened relapse susceptibility in individuals with a history of drug use, even after extended abstinence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review dynamic, drug-induced changes in corticostriatal circuitry.
  • To highlight how these neuroadaptations contribute to drug seeking and relapse.
  • To discuss future strategies for relapse prevention and pharmacotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing research on neuroadaptations in the corticostriatal glutamatergic pathway.
  • Focuses on morphological and electrophysiological changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAc).
  • Examines the impact of drug cues on synaptic plasticity.

Main Results:

  • Chronic drug use induces enduring neuroadaptations in the NAc's glutamatergic synapses.
  • Exposure to drug-associated cues triggers rapid, transient synaptic changes in the NAc.
  • These dynamic changes are linked to impaired information processing and compulsive drug seeking.

Conclusions:

  • Drug-induced neuroadaptations in the NAc are central to addiction neuropathology and relapse.
  • Targeting rapid, transient synaptic plasticity offers a promising avenue for relapse prevention.
  • Further research into these dynamic changes can inform novel pharmacotherapeutic strategies.