The timing of external input controls the sign of plasticity at local synapses

Nat Neurosci. 2009 Oct;12(10):1219-21. doi: 10.1038/nn.2388. Epub 2009 Sep 6.

Abstract

The method by which local networks in the brain store information from extrinsic afferent inputs is not well understood. We found that the timing of afferent input can bidirectionally control the sign of spike timing-dependent plasticity at local synapses in rat hippocampus. This mechanism provides a means by which temporal information in external input can be encoded in the local matrix of synaptic weights.

MeSH terms

  • 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / pharmacology
  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Biophysics
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electric Stimulation / methods
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / drug effects
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • GABA Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Models, Neurological
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques / methods
  • Phosphinic Acids / pharmacology
  • Propanolamines / pharmacology
  • Pyridazines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • GABA Antagonists
  • Phosphinic Acids
  • Propanolamines
  • Pyridazines
  • CGP 55845A
  • 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate
  • gabazine