Cellular mechanisms of cerebellar LTD.
In the past decade there have been advances in understanding the cellular mechanisms of the long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses in the cerebellum. This review first summarizes current views on mechanisms involved in LTD induction, from activation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, of ionotropic (AMPA) and metabotropic (mGluRI) glutamate receptors, to stimulation of protein kinase C and nitric oxide formation. Second, we will focus on recent findings that point towards the involvement of Ca2+ release from internal stores in LTD induction, localize the sources and targets of nitric oxide and indicate a postsynaptic site for LTD expression. Finally, a role for LTD in motor learning is now well supported by recent experiments on transgenic mice.
Daniel
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Institut des Neurosciences, CNRS-Université Paris VI, France.
Levenes
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C
Crépel
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D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*