Synaptic Plasticity Flashcards
Hebbian synapse
A synapse strengthened by simultaneous presynaptic and postsynaptic activity
Habituation
Decreased response to a repeated stimulus
Sensitisation
Increased response to mild stimuli due to strong prior stimuli
LTP (Long-term potentiation)
Strengthening of synapses via rapid, repeated stimulation
LTD (Long-term depression)
Weakening of synapses due to low-frequency stimulation
Specificity
Only active synapses get strengthened
Cooperativity
Multiple simultaneous inputs strengthen LTP
Associativity
Weak + strong input together strengthens the weak one later
Agonistic
Mimics or boosts NT activity
Antagonistic
Blocks or inhibits NT activity
Amino acids
Glutamate (excitatory), GABA (inhibitory), Glycine
Modified AAs
Acetylcholine
Biogenic amines
Dopamine, Noradrenaline, Adrenaline, Serotonin
Neuropeptides
Endorphins, Enkephalins, Substance P, Neuropeptide Y
Purines
ATP
Gases
Nitric oxide (NO)
Diffusion
NTs drift away from synapse (common in neuropeptides)
Metabolic breakdown
Enzymes break down NT (e.g., AChE breaks down ACh)
Reuptake
NTs taken back into presynaptic cell (e.g., serotonin)
Stimulants
May help if arousal is low
Supplements
Often unproven
✅ Best method
Deep learning + practice
Retrograde transmitter
Signals backward to presynaptic cell to lower AP threshold (boost response)
