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Updated: May 9, 2026
10:52
Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology
Published on: April 23, 2019
Stress-induced metaplasticity: from synapses to behavior
M V Schmidt1, W C Abraham, M Maroun
1Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstrasse 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany.
Neuroscience
|July 11, 2013
Summary
Metaplasticity, the modification of synaptic plasticity, can be extended to a behavioral level. This concept, termed "behavioral metaplasticity," integrates environmental influences on brain plasticity and behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Molecular Neuroscience
Background:
- Synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation and long-term depression, underlies learning and memory.
- Metaplasticity describes modifications to synaptic plasticity induced by prior events.
- The concept of metaplasticity is expanding from cellular to global levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the utility of 'behavioral metaplasticity' as a concept.
- To frame behavioral metaplasticity within existing metaplasticity research.
- To integrate environmental, developmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors influencing plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and conceptual integration.
- Analysis of environmental stressors (e.g., stress) as priming events.
- Consideration of developmental, genetic, and epigenetic modifications.
Main Results:
- Metaplasticity can be conceptualized at a behavioral level, influenced by environmental factors.
- Behavioral metaplasticity integrates diverse influences on neural and behavioral outcomes.
- A framework is proposed for understanding behavioral metaplasticity.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral metaplasticity offers a valuable lens for understanding how environmental factors shape brain function and behavior.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying both synaptic and behavioral metaplasticity.
- This concept bridges cellular plasticity mechanisms with observable behavioral changes.
Keywords:
BLACBPCREBCREB binding proteinDGDNA methyl transferaseDnmtGRHATHDACsLTDLTPMRMeCP2NFκBbasolateral amygdalacognitioncyclic AMP-responsive element binding factordentate gyrusglucocorticoid receptorhistone acetyltransferasehistone deacetylaseslong-term depressionlong-term potentiationmPFCmedial prefrontal cortexmetaplasticitymethyl cytosine-binding protein 2mineralocorticoid receptornuclear factor kappa Bstresssynaptic plasticity
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