A unified model of NMDA receptor-dependent bidirectional synaptic plasticity.
Synapses in the brain are bidirectionally modifiable, but the routes of induction are diverse. In various experimental paradigms, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-dependent long-term depression and long-term potentiation have been induced selectively by varying the membrane potential of the postsynaptic neurons during presynaptic stimulation of a constant frequency, the rate of presynaptic stimulation, and the timing of pre- and postsynaptic action potentials. In this paper, we present a mathematical embodiment of bidirectional synaptic plasticity that is able to explain diverse induction protocols with a fixed set of parameters. The key assumptions and consequences of the model can be tested experimentally; further, the model provides the foundation for a unified theory of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity.
Shouval
Harel Z
HZ
Institute for Brain and Neural Systems, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. hzs@cns.brown.edu
Bear
Mark F
MF
Cooper
Leon N
LN
D000200:Action Potentials; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007700:Kinetics; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate