Science · 1995 · 372 citations · 34 references
Life SciencesNeurobiologyNeuroscienceDevelopmental NeuroscienceNeuroplasticitySynaptic PlasticityHippocampal DevelopmentLong-term PotentiationNeural PlasticityNeurotransmissionNeurotransmitter ReleaseSynaptic TransmissionAction Potential GenerationCa1 FunctionExcitatory Pyramidal NeuronsHippocampal Developmental PlasticityHippocampal Long-term PotentiationLong-term Synaptic PlasticityQuantal Synaptic TransmissionRodent Synaptic Plasticity
Developmental changes in rat hippocampal transmitter release and synaptic plasticity were investigated. Recordings from pairs of pyramidal neurons in slices showed that an action potential in a CA3 neuron released only a single quantum of transmitter onto a CA1 neuron. Failures of synaptic transmission reflected probabilistic transmitter release. The probability of release (Pr) was 0.9 in 4- to 8-day-old rats and decreased to less than 0.5 at 2 to 3 weeks. Long-term potentiation (LTP) in 2- to 3-week-old rats was associated with an increase in Pr from a single synaptic site. The high initial Pr in 4- to 8-day-old rats normally occludes the expression of LTP at this stage.
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