Learning insights transmitted by glutamate.
Plasticity of the Aplysia sensorimotor synapse plays a crucial role in learning and memory of withdrawal reflexes. During the past ten years, a growing body of evidence has indicated that the sensorimotor synapse is glutamatergic. This new information has guided several studies that implicate AMPA and NMDA receptors in synaptic plasticity. However, further work is necessary to delineate the exact properties of the postsynaptic receptors, and their role in transmission and plasticity. Despite the still incomplete picture of the intrinsic properties of the sensorimotor synapse, identifying the endogenous transmitter has provided a foundation for new avenues of research, the results of which will further improve our understanding of the neurobiology of learning and memory.
Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, W.M. Keck Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Evangelos G
EG
Antzoulatos
John H
JH
Byrne
D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D018698:Glutamic Acid