Cellular mechanisms of long-term depression in the cerebellum

Cerebellar long-term depression is a persistent, input-specific attenuation of the parallel fiber-Purkinje neuron synapse induced by co-activation of parallel fibers and climbing fibers. This phenomenon endows the Purkinje neuron with a powerful associative computational ability. Recent investigations have provided strong evidence that two mechanisms, Ca2+ influx via voltage-gated channels, and stimulation of protein kinase C via metabotropic receptor activation, are required for induction of long-term depression. In addition, two other mechanisms, Na+ influx via AMPA receptors, and stimulation of a nitric oxide/cGMP cascade may also be involved in this process.