Ebook: Synaptic Modifications and Memory: An Electrophysiological Analysis

Understanding of memory and learning is one of the major goals of neuroscientists and psychologists. The author first introduces the reader into the current state of knowledge of the mechanisms underlying memory by providing extensive reviews of contemporary results including behavioural approaches and molecular studies. He presents results of his group obtained by analysing elec- trical activity - including single neuron meassures. As a major experimental model the phenomenon of hippocampal long- term potentiation was studied. The so-called quantal analy- sis - a quantitative method - was applied to study mammalian brain plasticity. Short- and long-term synaptic plasticities were registered both in vivo and in vitro mammalian brain preparations. Results show the involvement of mainly presynaptic location in memory, however, the possible involvement of postsynaptic mechanisms is indicated by changes in quantal amplitude as shown by the author.

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Understanding of memory and learning is one of the major goals of neuroscientists and psychologists. The author first introduces the reader into the current state of knowledge of the mechanisms underlying memory by providing extensive reviews of contemporary results including behavioural approaches and molecular studies. He presents results of his group obtained by analysing elec- trical activity - including single neuron meassures. As a major experimental model the phenomenon of hippocampal long- term potentiation was studied. The so-called quantal analy- sis - a quantitative method - was applied to study mammalian brain plasticity. Short- and long-term synaptic plasticities were registered both in vivo and in vitro mammalian brain preparations. Results show the involvement of mainly presynaptic location in memory, however, the possible involvement of postsynaptic mechanisms is indicated by changes in quantal amplitude as shown by the author.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XIII
Introduction....Pages 1-4
Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation and Its Characteristics....Pages 5-24
Unitary and Minimal Postsynaptic Potentials (Literature Review)....Pages 25-37
“Minimal” Field Potentials of the Hippocampus and Their Post-Tetanic Changes....Pages 38-46
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials of Hippocampal Neurones and Their Low-Frequency Depression....Pages 47-57
Responses of Hippocampal Neurones During Long-Term Potentiation....Pages 58-67
Changes in Acetylcholine Sensitivity During Long-Term Potentiation....Pages 68-78
Quantal Analysis of Postsynaptic Potentials (Literature Review)....Pages 79-106
Application of Quantal Analysis to Central Synapses....Pages 107-123
Models of Transmitter Depletion and Their Application to Analysis of Synaptic Plasticity (Literature Review)....Pages 124-141
Parameters of Transmitter Depletion Model for Snail Central Synapses and Comparison of Depletion and Quantal Models....Pages 142-153
Quantal Analysis of Short-Term Plasticities at Central Synapses....Pages 154-167
Quantal Analysis of Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation in Vivo....Pages 168-183
Quantal Analysis of Minimal Postsynaptic Potentials in Hippocampal Slices: Binomial Model....Pages 184-203
Binomial Analysis of Long-Term Potentiation of Minimal EPSPs in Hippocampal Slices....Pages 204-216
Analysis of Fluctuations of Minimal EPSPs in Vitro: Quantal Model....Pages 217-231
General Conclusions....Pages 232-245
Back Matter....Pages 247-303

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Understanding of memory and learning is one of the major goals of neuroscientists and psychologists. The author first introduces the reader into the current state of knowledge of the mechanisms underlying memory by providing extensive reviews of contemporary results including behavioural approaches and molecular studies. He presents results of his group obtained by analysing elec- trical activity - including single neuron meassures. As a major experimental model the phenomenon of hippocampal long- term potentiation was studied. The so-called quantal analy- sis - a quantitative method - was applied to study mammalian brain plasticity. Short- and long-term synaptic plasticities were registered both in vivo and in vitro mammalian brain preparations. Results show the involvement of mainly presynaptic location in memory, however, the possible involvement of postsynaptic mechanisms is indicated by changes in quantal amplitude as shown by the author.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XIII
Introduction....Pages 1-4
Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation and Its Characteristics....Pages 5-24
Unitary and Minimal Postsynaptic Potentials (Literature Review)....Pages 25-37
“Minimal” Field Potentials of the Hippocampus and Their Post-Tetanic Changes....Pages 38-46
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials of Hippocampal Neurones and Their Low-Frequency Depression....Pages 47-57
Responses of Hippocampal Neurones During Long-Term Potentiation....Pages 58-67
Changes in Acetylcholine Sensitivity During Long-Term Potentiation....Pages 68-78
Quantal Analysis of Postsynaptic Potentials (Literature Review)....Pages 79-106
Application of Quantal Analysis to Central Synapses....Pages 107-123
Models of Transmitter Depletion and Their Application to Analysis of Synaptic Plasticity (Literature Review)....Pages 124-141
Parameters of Transmitter Depletion Model for Snail Central Synapses and Comparison of Depletion and Quantal Models....Pages 142-153
Quantal Analysis of Short-Term Plasticities at Central Synapses....Pages 154-167
Quantal Analysis of Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation in Vivo....Pages 168-183
Quantal Analysis of Minimal Postsynaptic Potentials in Hippocampal Slices: Binomial Model....Pages 184-203
Binomial Analysis of Long-Term Potentiation of Minimal EPSPs in Hippocampal Slices....Pages 204-216
Analysis of Fluctuations of Minimal EPSPs in Vitro: Quantal Model....Pages 217-231
General Conclusions....Pages 232-245
Back Matter....Pages 247-303
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