Activity-dependent presynaptic facilitation and hebbian LTP are both required and interact during classical conditioning in Aplysia

Neuron. 2003 Jan 9;37(1):135-47. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(02)01129-7.

Abstract

Using a simplified preparation of the Aplysia siphon-withdrawal reflex, we previously found that associative plasticity at synapses between sensory neurons and motor neurons contributes importantly to classical conditioning of the reflex. We have now tested the roles in that plasticity of two associative cellular mechanisms: activity-dependent enhancement of presynaptic facilitation and postsynaptically induced long-term potentiation. By perturbing molecular signaling pathways in individual neurons, we have provided the most direct evidence to date that each of these mechanisms contributes to behavioral learning. In addition, our results suggest that the two mechanisms are not independent but rather interact through retrograde signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology
  • Central Nervous System / cytology
  • Central Nervous System / drug effects
  • Central Nervous System / physiology*
  • Chelating Agents / pharmacology
  • Conditioning, Psychological / drug effects
  • Conditioning, Psychological / physiology*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Long-Term Potentiation / drug effects
  • Long-Term Potentiation / physiology*
  • Motor Neurons / cytology
  • Motor Neurons / drug effects
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Neural Pathways / cytology
  • Neural Pathways / drug effects
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Neurons, Afferent / cytology
  • Neurons, Afferent / drug effects
  • Neurons, Afferent / physiology
  • Reaction Time / drug effects
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Reflex / drug effects
  • Reflex / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*

Substances

  • Chelating Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases