HMB300H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Ampa Receptor, Synaptic Plasticity, Protein Phosphatase 1
Document Summary
It may involve neurons, structural plasticity as well as ltp/ltd of specific neurochemical synapses: ultimately, the current hypothesis changes in the synaptic strength alter behaviour. Only specifically activated synapses become potentiated (strengthened) not all synapses. Neurons have a discrete level to which they can be strengthened. There has to be a pairing of the input presynaptically and post-synaptically. They must be activated together, and neurons encode information associatively. Synaptic plasticity (ltp/ltd) involves modifying a neural circuit: may involve neurons, structural plasticity as well as ltp/ltd of specific synapses, ultimately, both neuroscientists and cognitive neuroscientists believe that changes in the synaptic strength alters behaviour. Experimental models: brain slices and electrophysiology to determine plasticity in the cns involving the spinal cord. Because of the typology of the hippocampus, discrete pathways (axons) can be stimulated. Most of the experiments on the mechanism of ltp are performed on the synapses of ca3 schaffer collaterals on ca1 pyramidal neurons (best model of synaptic plasticity)
