The pre/post LTP debate.
The pre/post debate involves the question of whether long-term potentiation (LTP) is mediated by enhancement of release, enhancement of postsynaptic receptors, or both. Recent papers have presented evidence for purely postsynaptic or purely presynaptic changes, and a paper by Ahmed and Siegelbam (in this issue of Neuron) suggests a mechanism by which release is enhanced. This debate is increasingly constrained by technical advances that allow central synapses to be studied with increasing precision. A possible of way of reconciling conflicting evidence is suggested.
Lisman
John E
JE
Department of Biology and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110, USA. lisman@brandeis.edu
D000818:Animals; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008959:Models, Neurological; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*