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Updated: May 5, 2026
09:39
Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation
Published on: June 26, 2013
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Expression mechanisms underlying long-term potentiation: a postsynaptic view, 10 years on
Adam J Granger1, Roger A Nicoll
1Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, , San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
Summary
Long-term potentiation (LTP) primarily occurs postsynaptically, particularly NMDA receptor-dependent LTP. AMPA receptor (AMPAR) recruitment to the postsynaptic density during LTP is independent of subunit type but requires extrasynaptic receptors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a key mechanism for synaptic plasticity.
- The precise cellular locus of LTP expression (postsynaptic vs. presynaptic) has been debated.
- Understanding LTP mechanisms is crucial for cognitive function research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review research over the past decade solidifying the postsynaptic expression of LTP.
- To summarize experimental evidence for presynaptic contributions to LTP.
- To re-evaluate AMPA receptor recruitment during LTP.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental findings on LTP mechanisms.
- Analysis of studies using glutamate uncaging and postsynaptic depolarization.
- Examination of data on AMPA receptor subunit composition and trafficking.
Main Results:
- Strong evidence supports a postsynaptic expression mechanism for NMDA receptor-dependent LTP.
- Glutamate uncaging paired with postsynaptic depolarization provides definitive proof of postsynaptic LTP.
- AMPA receptor recruitment during LTP is independent of subunit type but relies on extrasynaptic pools.
Conclusions:
- The postsynaptic expression mechanism for LTP is well-established.
- A substantial presynaptic component for LTP is unlikely.
- AMPA receptor trafficking during LTP involves specific recruitment pathways.
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