The role of action potentials in local calcium signalling and induction of different forms of LTP

我们对大脑如何学习和记忆的理解仍然有限。有充分的证据表明，改变脑细胞（神经元）之间连接（突触）的强度可以使信息得以存储。其中一种类型的突触变化被称为长时程增强（LTP），这是神经元之间通信效率的长期增加。最近，我描述了大脑中对学习和记忆很重要的区域的三种不同形式的LTP。这些形式的LTP具有不同的持久性特征——LTP 1持续时间相对较短，LTP 2持续时间中等，而LTP 3非常持久，甚至可能是永久的。每一种形式的LTP都是由神经元不同部位钙的增加选择性触发的。在本研究中，我将研究神经元不同部分的电活动之间的关系，以定义触发每种形式LTP的“规则”。这一信息对于进一步研究LTP在大脑学习和记忆加工中的具体作用具有重要意义。更好地理解LTP与学习和记忆之间的关系将有助于制定有效的治疗记忆障碍的策略，包括阿尔茨海默病、成瘾行为和学习障碍。

Our understanding of how the brain learns and remembers things is still limited. There is good evidence that changing the strength of the connections (synapses) between brain cells (neurons) can allow information to be stored. One type of synaptic change is called long-term potentiaton (LTP), which is a long-lasting increase in the efficacy of communication between neurons. Recently, I have described 3 different forms of LTP in a region of the brain that is known to be important for learning and memory. These forms of LTP have different persistence characteristics - LTP 1 is relatively short-lasting, LTP 2 is of intermediate duration, and LTP 3 is very long-lasting and perhaps even permanent. Each form of LTP is selectively triggered by an increase in calcium in a different part of the neuron. In the present study, I will investigate the relationships between electrical activity in different parts of the neuron in order to define the 'rules' for triggering each form of LTP. This information is important for future studies into the specific role played by each form of LTP in learning and memory processing in the brain. A better understanding of the relationship between LTP and learning and memory will assist in developing effective treatment strategies for disorders of memory, including Alzheimer s disease, addictive bahaviour, and learning disorders.