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Relations between long-term synaptic modifications and paired-pulse interactions in the rat neocortex
M Volgushev1, L L Voronin, M Chistiakova
1Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Synaptic plasticity, like long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), can be induced postsynaptically. Presynaptic mechanisms maintain these changes, influencing synaptic transmission properties.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Synaptic Plasticity
Background:
- Paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) probes presynaptic function.
- Long-term synaptic plasticity (LTP/LTD) involves pre- and postsynaptic changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate presynaptic roles in neocortical LTP/LTD induction and maintenance.
- Determine if postsynaptic activation alone can induce synaptic modifications.
Main Methods:
- Induced LTP/LTD using intracellular tetanic stimulation.
- Utilized paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) to assess presynaptic function.
- Analyzed changes in PPF ratio and failure rate.
Main Results:
- Postsynaptic activation alone induced LTP/LTD-like modifications.
- Initial PPF ratio predicted potentiation (high PPF) or depression (low PPF).
- LTP/LTD maintenance involved presynaptic changes in release probability and/or active release sites.
Conclusions:
- Synaptic plasticity induction can be postsynaptic, suggesting retrograde signaling.
- Presynaptic mechanisms are crucial for maintaining LTP/LTD.
- Synaptic modifications alter transmission gain and temporal properties, impacting signal processing.