Bridging the gap toward understanding short-term synaptic plasticity

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.

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.

The utilization of strain gauges as transducers for converting mechanical strain into electrical signals is a common practice in various engineering applications. These strain gauges are frequently integrated into Wheatstone bridge circuits to accurately measure parameters such as force or pressure. Within this context, each element within the circuit exhibits a resistance that undergoes subtle variations when subjected to mechanical strain. The primary objective is to convert minuscule...

Multicellular organisms employ a variety of ways for cells to communicate with each other. Gap junctions are specialized proteins that form pores between neighboring cells in animals, connecting the cytoplasm between the two, and allowing for the exchange of molecules and ions. They are found in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species, mediate numerous functions including cell differentiation and development, and are associated with numerous human diseases, including cardiac and...

The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...

An ohmmeter is a resistance-measuring device. It works by applying a voltage to a resistor of unknown resistance and measuring the current across the resistor. The resistance value is deduced using Ohm's law. Usually, the standard configuration of an ohmmeter comprises a voltmeter or an ammeter. However, such configurations are limited in accuracy because the meters alter the voltage applied to the resistor and the current that flows through it.
Thus, for accurate resistance measurements, a...