Review of Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) and Long-Term Depression (LTD) Pathways

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) and Long-Term Depression (LTD) as discussed in the lecture.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

A lasting increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation of a synapse.

Kinase

An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to a target substrate, typically a protein.

LTP Mechanism

Involves calcium influx through NMDA receptors, leading to the activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases.

Silent Synapse

A synapse that lacks functional AMPA receptors, preventing synaptic transmission until receptors are inserted.

Homosynaptic LTD

Long-term depression that occurs at the synapse that is stimulated.

Heterosynaptic LTD

Long-term depression that occurs at different synapses from the one that was stimulated.

Calcium Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII)

A protein kinase that is activated by calcium and is crucial for the induction of LTP.

NMDA Receptor

A type of glutamate receptor that is involved in synaptic plasticity and memory function.

Phosphorylation

The process of adding a phosphate group to a molecule, often used to regulate protein function.

Depotentiation

The process by which a potentiated synapse returns to baseline synaptic strength.

Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity (STDP)

A learning rule that considers the timing of spikes from pre- and postsynaptic neurons to determine whether LTP or LTD occurs.

Glycine Transporter

A protein that regulates extracellular glycine levels, affecting NMDA receptor activation.

Thrombospondins

A family of proteins secreted by astrocytes that play a role in synaptogenesis.

Action Potential

A rapid rise and subsequent fall in voltage or membrane potential across a cellular membrane.

Retrograde Signaling

Communication from the postsynaptic cell back to the presynaptic cell to regulate neurotransmitter release.

AMPAR

AMPA receptors are ionotropic receptors that mediate fast synaptic transmission in the central nervous system.

CREB

Cyclic AMP response element-binding protein; a transcription factor involved in the gene expression necessary for long-term memory.

Hebbian Learning

A principle stating that synaptic strength increases when both the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons are active simultaneously.

Metabotropic Receptor

A type of neurotransmitter receptor that indirectly causes changes in a postsynaptic cell through a second messenger.

Synaptic Competition

The process by which synapses vie for resources and strength within neural circuits, often regulated by LTP and LTD.