Advances in Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying Synaptic Plasticity
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abstract
Central to understanding the mechanisms underlying long-term potentiation (LTP) is the role of the N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor subtype. LTP is an enduring increase in synaptic efficacy seen at glutamatergic synapses in the mammalian forebrain. Synaptic plasticity refers to an experience-dependent alteration in synaptic strength. The long-term depression (LTD) seen at activated synapses is termed homosynaptic LTD, whereas the LTD seen at inactive synapses is termed heterosynaptic LTD. Differences in synaptic plasticity seen in different regions of the brain may reflect differences in the expression of the receptors, enzymes, and factors responsible for the forms of synaptic plasticity reviewed here. The weakening of some synapses coincident with the strengthening of others may either be a means to normalize synaptic weights to avoid saturation or may be a means to enhance contrast between inputs, as is well known for sensory systems.