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Modulators of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus Robillard, Julie
Abstract
The two main forms of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) represent a cellular model for learning and memory. While synaptic plasticity has been studied extensively, questions still remain on how exogenous and endogenous modulators can impact hippocampal LTP and LTD. Here, we use electrophysiology and imaging to investigate the effects of two types of modulators on synaptic plasticity. First, we look at the effects of an antagonist of the 5-HT6 re ceptor on LTP and LTD in two regions of the hippocampus, the CAl and the dentate gyrus (DG). We find that our 5-HT6 antagonist differentially affects LTP in each region and blocks hippocampal LTD. These findings are the first report of an involvement of the 5-HT6 receptor in synaptic plasticity and are particularly relevant in light of evidence showing a key role of the 5-HT6 receptor in cognition and memory. Second, we look at the effects of glutathione (GSH) supplementation on LTP in aged animals. We show that supplementing aged mice with a precursor for GSH formation reverses the mechanisms underlying hippocampal LTP from L-type calcium channel dependence back to NMDA receptor-dependence. These results suggest an important role for GSH as a modulator of synaptic plasticity in aging.
Item Metadata
Title |
Modulators of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
2010
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Description |
The two main forms of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation
(LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) represent a cellular model
for learning and memory. While synaptic plasticity has been studied extensively, questions still remain on how exogenous and endogenous modulators
can impact hippocampal LTP and LTD. Here, we use electrophysiology and
imaging to investigate the effects of two types of modulators on synaptic
plasticity. First, we look at the effects of an antagonist of the 5-HT6 re
ceptor on LTP and LTD in two regions of the hippocampus, the CAl and
the dentate gyrus (DG). We find that our 5-HT6 antagonist differentially
affects LTP in each region and blocks hippocampal LTD. These findings are
the first report of an involvement of the 5-HT6 receptor in synaptic plasticity
and are particularly relevant in light of evidence showing a key role of
the 5-HT6 receptor in cognition and memory. Second, we look at the effects
of glutathione (GSH) supplementation on LTP in aged animals. We show
that supplementing aged mice with a precursor for GSH formation reverses
the mechanisms underlying hippocampal LTP from L-type calcium channel
dependence back to NMDA receptor-dependence. These results suggest an
important role for GSH as a modulator of synaptic plasticity in aging.
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Genre | |
Type | |
Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2010-10-29
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0071439
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
2010-11
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Rights URI | |
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International