Use of brain slices to study long-term potentiation and depression as examples of synaptic plasticity.
Brain slices have been responsible for the majority of advances in our understanding of the cellular aspects of altered synaptic strength underlying memory, long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), and increases and decreases, respectively, in synaptic strength at glutamatergic synapses. Our current understanding of LTP and LTD has come largely from studies in hippocampal slices. We consider the strengths and limitations of brain slice technology applied to this subject and conclude that they will continue to have an important role in future studies into the cellular machinery underlying changes in synaptic strength.
Teyler
T J
TJ
Neurobiology Department, NE Ohio College of Medicine, 4209 Route 44, Rootstown, Ohio 44272-0095, USA. tjt@neoucom.edu
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
D018698:Glutamic Acid