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Silent synapses in the developing rat visual cortex: evidence for postsynaptic expression of synaptic plasticity

S Rumpel1, H Hatt, K Gottmann

  • 1Lehrstuhl für Zellphysiologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44870 Bochum, Germany.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|October 24, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Silent synapses in the developing visual cortex, initially lacking functional AMPA receptors, can become functional through NMDA receptor activation. This process resembles long-term potentiation (LTP) and is crucial for synaptic refinement.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • Activity-dependent synaptic refinement in the visual cortex is critical for neural development.
  • Synaptic plasticity, particularly long-term potentiation (LTP), is a key mechanism involved.
  • The conversion of silent synapses to functional ones is a potential contributor to LTP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the existence and properties of functionally silent synapses in the neonatal rat visual cortex.
  • To determine the developmental changes in silent synapse incidence.
  • To elucidate the mechanism underlying the conversion of silent to functional synapses.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-cell recording and minimal stimulation techniques were employed in immature pyramidal neurons.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Synaptic transmission mediated by NMDA and AMPA receptors was analyzed.
  • Protocols involving paired presynaptic stimulation and postsynaptic depolarization were used to induce plasticity.

    • Main Results:

    • Functionally silent glutamatergic synapses, exhibiting only NMDA receptor-mediated transmission, were identified in the neonatal rat visual cortex.
    • The prevalence of silent synapses decreased significantly during early postnatal development.
    • Silent synapses were converted to functional synapses, showing AMPA receptor-mediated transmission, after LTP-like induction protocols.
    • This conversion was dependent on NMDA receptor activation and suggested a postsynaptic mechanism involving non-functional AMPA receptors.

    Conclusions:

    • Silent synapses, characterized by the absence of functional AMPA receptors, exist in the developing visual cortex.
    • Their conversion to functional synapses via NMDA receptor activation is a postsynaptic plasticity mechanism.
    • This process likely plays a significant role in activity-dependent synaptic refinement during visual cortex development.