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Related Concept Videos

Long-term Potentiation01:25

Long-term Potentiation

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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...
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Long-term Depression01:03

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.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
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Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)01:32

Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

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Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...
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Action Potential01:31

Action Potential

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Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2025

Long-term Potentiation of Perforant Pathway-dentate Gyrus Synapse in Freely Behaving Mice
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Long-term Potentiation of Perforant Pathway-dentate Gyrus Synapse in Freely Behaving Mice

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Long-Term Potentiation: The Accidental Discovery.

Terje Lømo1

  • 1Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Hippocampus
|December 9, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Long-term potentiation (LTP), a key mechanism for learning and memory, was accidentally discovered in 1966. Subsequent experiments confirmed its existence, though initial reproducibility challenges delayed its widespread acceptance.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Synaptic Plasticity
  • Learning and Memory

Background:

  • Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a fundamental process in synaptic plasticity.
  • LTP is widely recognized as crucial for learning and memory formation.
  • The historical context of LTP discovery involves serendipity and collaborative research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To recount the personal narrative of the accidental discovery of LTP.
  • To detail the experimental journey and challenges in establishing LTP.
  • To reflect on the influence of key figures and the evolution of LTP research.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective account of laboratory experiments conducted in Oslo and London.
  • Description of early electrophysiological studies on synaptic plasticity.

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Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation
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Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation

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Inducing Long-Term Plasticity of Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in Neurons of the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus
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Inducing Long-Term Plasticity of Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in Neurons of the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2025

Long-term Potentiation of Perforant Pathway-dentate Gyrus Synapse in Freely Behaving Mice
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Long-term Potentiation of Perforant Pathway-dentate Gyrus Synapse in Freely Behaving Mice

Published on: November 29, 2013

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Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation
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Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation

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Inducing Long-Term Plasticity of Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in Neurons of the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus
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Inducing Long-Term Plasticity of Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in Neurons of the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

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  • Analysis of factors influencing experimental reproducibility.

    • Main Results:

    • Accidental observation of a phenomenon later identified as LTP in 1966.
    • Confirmation of LTP through collaborative experiments between 1968-1969.
    • Identification of challenges in reproducing LTP findings in subsequent years.

    Conclusions:

    • The discovery of LTP highlights the role of chance in scientific breakthroughs.
    • Reproducibility issues temporarily hindered the acceptance and study of LTP.
    • The author's later work shifted to neuro-muscular interactions and thermoregulation.