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Related Concept Videos

Long-term Potentiation

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...

Long-term Potentiation

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 Depression

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 Depression

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.

Chemical Synapses

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...

Chemical Synapses

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Investigation of Synaptic Tagging/Capture and Cross-capture using Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rodents

Investigation of Synaptic Tagging/Capture and Cross-capture using Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rodents

Published on: September 4, 2015

Long-term potentiation in the brain: A synaptic memory mechanism.

Antonio Rodríguez-Moreno¹, Ole Paulsen²

¹Laboratory of Cellular Neuroscience and Plasticity, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, ES-41013 Seville, Spain.

Physiological Reviews

|June 27, 2026

Summary

Neural plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), allows the brain to change with experience, aiding learning, memory, and development. Alterations in this brain plasticity are linked to various neurological disorders.

Keywords:

Brain plasticity LTP and diseases LTP functions LTP mechanisms LTP protocols Presynaptic and postsynaptic LTP astrocytes and LTP

More Related Videos

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

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

Published on: November 29, 2013

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

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

Published on: June 26, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Investigation of Synaptic Tagging/Capture and Cross-capture using Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rodents

Investigation of Synaptic Tagging/Capture and Cross-capture using Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rodents

Published on: September 4, 2015

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

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

Published on: November 29, 2013

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

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

Published on: June 26, 2013

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Background:

Neural plasticity is the brain's ability to change with experience.
Synaptic plasticity, specifically long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), underpins learning, memory, and skill acquisition.
LTP and LTD are fundamental mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current understanding of neural plasticity, focusing on LTP and LTD.
To highlight the role of synaptic plasticity in neurodevelopment, learning, and memory.
To discuss the implications of altered brain plasticity in neurological disorders.

Main Methods:

Review of seminal and recent research on synaptic plasticity.
Analysis of the historical development of LTP research.
Synthesis of current knowledge on the in vivo mechanisms and functions of LTP and LTD.

Main Results:

Long-term potentiation (LTP) was first described decades ago and is a well-established mechanism for synaptic plasticity.
LTP is crucial for neurodevelopment, learning, and memory formation in mammals.
Dysregulation of brain plasticity, including LTP and LTD, is implicated in various brain disorders.

Conclusions:

Synaptic plasticity, particularly LTP, is a robust and conserved mechanism in the brain.
Further research is needed to precisely define the functions of LTP and LTD.
Understanding brain plasticity holds promise for novel treatments for neurological conditions.