Finally, although most discussions have emphasized the potential positive influences of zinc on synaptic plasticity, another idea is that the release of zinc may help to stabilize synapses, which are otherwise predisposed to modifications in synaptic strength, by a high density of NMDA receptors or other factors (Slomianka 1992; Ueno et al. 2002; Paoletti et al. 2009).
The most famous synaptic plasticity principle is known as Hebbian learning [23], where modifications in synaptic transmission efficacy are driven by correlations in the firing activity of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons.
A major goal of my laboratory is to elucidate the molecular events that trigger various forms of synaptic plasticity and the modifications in synaptic proteins that are responsible for the changes in synaptic efficacy.
Specifically, NFAT-dependent synaptic phenotypes include changes in the number of pre-synaptic boutons, stable modifications in synaptic microtubule architecture and pre-synaptic transmitter release, while no evidence is found for synaptic retraction or alterations in the level of the synaptic cell adhesion molecule FasII.
Activity-driven modifications in synaptic connections between neurons in the neocortex may occur during development and learning.
If long-term plasticity refers to persistent modifications in synaptic efficacy, short-term plasticity reflects the reversible modulation of synaptic strength in response to varying presynaptic stimuli.
In classical Hebbian models, this famous postulate is often rephrased in the sense that modifications in the synaptic transmission efficacy are driven by correlations in the firing activity of pre- and postsynaptic neurons.
By modification of the synaptic strength, output responses to input stimuli are memorized.
However, modifications in functional connectivity might also be influenced by changes in synaptic efficacy, for example through changes in the quantity of neurotransmitter release, changes in astrocytes or dendritic spine stabilization.
Such modifications reflect changes in synaptic transmission that shape cortical circuits and store information.
