Persistent synaptic activity produces long-lasting enhancement of endocannabinoid modulation and alters long-term synaptic plasticity.
Learning and memory are thought to involve activity-dependent changes in synaptic efficacy such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). Recent studies have indicated that endocannabinoid-dependent modulation of inhibitory transmission facilitates induction of hippocampal LTP and that endocannabinoids play a key role in certain forms of LTD. Here, we show that repetitive low-frequency synaptic stimulation (LFS) produces persistent up-regulation of endocannabinoid signaling at hippocampal CA1 GABAergic synapses. This LFS also produces LTD of inhibitory synapses and facilitates LTP at excitatory, glutamatergic synapses. These endocannabinoid-mediated plastic changes could contribute to information storage within the brain.
Zhu
Ping Jun
PJ
Lab. for Integrative Neuroscience, NIH/NIAAA, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rm. TS-28, Bethesda, MD 20892-9411, USA.
Lovinger
David M
DM
D000818:Animals; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053444:Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D009433:Neural Inhibition; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000077285:Rimonabant; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D011725:Pyridines; C121465:6-methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine; D000077285:Rimonabant