Synaptic Plasticity

Synaptic Plasticity

The ability of the synapse to change over time.

Long-term Potentiation

Long-lasting strengthening of synaptic connections.

• How does it occur? - repeated stimulations by neurotransmitters between pre- and post-synaptic connections.

• What does it look like? - Increased amount of neurotransmitters. Greater effect of neurotransmitters at receptor sites. Results in sprouting and rerouting.

• Role in learning - the more we use info we want to remember, the more the LTP process strengthens the pathways, making it easier to retrieve that information.

Long-term Depression

Long-lasting weakening in the strength of synaptic connections.

• How does it occur? - lack of stimulation by neurotransmitters between pre- and post-synaptic connections.

• What does it look like? - Neurons being less responsive to neurotransmitters. Results in pruning.

• Role in learning - Enables old memories and unused connections to be cleared out. May allow us to correct our thinking when solving a problem and adjust our movements when learning a new motor skill.

Structural Changes of Synapses

Sprouting - growth of additional axons and dendrites to enable new connections with other neurons, which enables increased and more flexible neural communication.

Rerouting - in response to damaged neurons, healthy neurons develop alternative neural pathways to compensate for the damage and restore brain functioning.

Pruning - the elimination of weak/ineffective/unused synapses to encourage increased efficiency of neural communication