Group 1 mGluR-dependent synaptic long-term depression: mechanisms and implications for circuitry and disease.
Many excitatory synapses express Group 1, or Gq coupled, metabotropic glutamate receptors (Gp1 mGluRs) at the periphery of their postsynaptic density. Activation of Gp1 mGluRs typically occurs in response to strong activity and triggers long-term plasticity of synaptic transmission in many brain regions, including the neocortex, hippocampus, midbrain, striatum, and cerebellum. Here we focus on mGluR-induced long-term synaptic depression (LTD) and review the literature that implicates Gp1 mGluRs in the plasticity of behavior, learning, and memory. Moreover, recent studies investigating the molecular mechanisms of mGluR-LTD have discovered links to mental retardation, autism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and drug addiction. We discuss how mGluRs lead to plasticity of neural circuits and how the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of mGluR plasticity provides insight into brain disease.
Lüscher
Christian
C
Department of Basic Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, and Clinic of Neurology, Geneva University Hospital, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland. christian.luscher@unige.ch <christian.luscher@unige.ch>
Huber
Kimberly M
KM
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D036881:Long-Term Synaptic Depression / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate