plasticity

Question 1

What is D AP5?

Answer 1

NMDAR inhibitor (competitive antagonist)

Question 2

What are the special features needed for NMDAR activation?

Answer 2

glutamate release presynaptically (includeds requirement for glycine which would always be present)
post synaptic depolarisation
- magnesium unblock

Question 3

What are the features of a silent synapse?

Answer 3

no/few AMPARs presynaptically so no response generated

Question 4

What are some mechanisms involved in LTP?

Answer 4

increased number of AMPArs
increased release probability presynaptically
increased channel conductance
increased number of connected synapses
AMPArs added to silent synapses

Question 5

Why are increased numbers of NMDArs not so relevant to LTP?

Answer 5

post synaptic receptors are usually saturated anyway

Question 6

over what time period can spines be seen growing?

Answer 6

minutes

Question 7

What can quantal analysis determine?

Answer 7

if pre or post synaptic change

Question 8

How can calcium trigger LTD?

Answer 8

small influx of calcium –> phosphatases activated

Question 9

How can calcium trigger LTP?

Answer 9

calcium activates calmodulin –> activates CaMK –> autophosphorylates –> CaMKII* –> CaMKII ** –> can phosphorylate GluR1, increasing conduction
- insertion of more Rs