不同刺激形式在成年大鼠海马CAl区诱导长时程压抑的谷氨酸受体机制

前期研究显示低频率多串刺激能够在成年大鼠海马CAl区诱发稳定的长时程压抑(long-term depression,LTD),而这种LTD的受体机制目前还不清楚.本研究采用成年大鼠海马脑片标本,电刺激Schaffer侧枝传入纤维,在CAl区锥体细胞层记录群体锋电位(population spikes,PS),并分别应用N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(N-methyl-D-aspartate,NMDA)受体和代谢型谷氨酸(metabotropic glutamate,mGlu)受体的拮抗剂AP5和MCPG,观察两组低频率(2-Hz和5-Hz)多串刺激能否诱导LTD,以揭示不同刺激形式诱导成年大鼠LTD的可能受体机制.结果显示,AP5和MCPG都能抑制由2-Hz多串刺激诱导的LTD:强直刺激后20 min时PS幅度分别为基础值的(96.0±3.5)%(n=10)和(95.7±4.1)%(n=8).MCPG能够抑制5-Hz多串刺激诱导的LTD的产生,而AP5不能:分别应用AP5和MCPG后,强直刺激后35 min时PS的幅度分别为基础值的(73.6±4.4)%(n=10)和(98.2±8.9)%(n=8).以上结果提示,2-Hz多串刺激诱导的LTD可能依赖于NMDA受体与mGlu受体的共同活化,而5-Hz多串刺激诱导的LTD只与mGlu受体有关.因此,不同频率的多串刺激诱导的LTD涉及不同的谷氮酸受体机制.     

低频刺激诱发海马突触传递去长时程增强的特性研究

目的和方法：以频率为1、3或5Hz,脉冲数为300或900,与高频刺激（HFS）时间间隔是20min或100min的低频刺激（LFS）作用于大鼠海马脑片,分别观察其对CA1区突触传递去长时程增强（DP）形成的影响。结果：HFS（100Hz,100脉冲的串刺激两串,串间隔30s)可诱发突触传递效率的长时程增强（LTP）。HFS经20min给予3Hz900脉冲的LFS可翻转LTP,产生DP,该作用可为NMDA受体阻断剂AP5（50μmol/L)所阻断,1Hz、5Hz、低脉冲数或与HFS时间间隔长的LFS,其诱发DP的效率减弱。结论：诱发海马CA1区DP的产生,对LFS的参数有较强的依从性。该作用可能是通过激活NMDA受体而实现的。     

大鼠海马CA1区β受体参与长时程增强和空间学习

在离体海马脑片上, 激活CA1区β肾上腺素能受体(β受体)易化这一区域突触传递的长时程增强(LTP). 然而, 在体情况下, CA1区β受体是否参与LTP的调控, 是否参与海马依赖性的学习和记忆, 尚无实验证据. 为此, 观察了β受体激动剂异丙肾上腺素或拮抗剂心得安对在体CA1区LTP的调控作用以及对大鼠在Morris水迷宫中的空间学习的影响. 正常情况下对突触强度仅有微小调制作用的10 Hz的θ节律刺激(每串150个脉冲, 1串), 在CA1区局部给予L-异丙肾上腺素后, 显著地诱导出LTP, 这一效应被DL-心得安所阻断; 相反, 正常情况下对突触强度有显著调制作用的5 Hz的θ节律刺激(每串150个脉冲, 3串), 在CA1区局部给予DL-心得安后, 诱导出的LTP显著地被压抑. 相应地, 训练前20 min在CA1区注射DL-心得安, 大鼠在水迷宫中的学习速度显著地慢于对照组大鼠, 训练后24 h的空间记忆保持亦相应较差. 以上结果表明, β受体参与海马CA1区的突触可塑性, 且对空间学习重要.     

电刺激右后背海马诱导双侧前背海马网络癫痫

目的 :急性强直电刺激右侧后背HPC诱导双侧HPC癫痫电网络形成的细胞机制。方法 :强直电刺激 (6 0Hz,2s,0 .4～ 0 .6mA)大鼠右后背HPCCA1基树突区 ,每隔 10min刺激一次 ,施加 10个刺激串。结果 :①分别抑制双侧CA1神经元单位放电频率 ,对侧的抑制效应更明显 (对侧 :6 2 .94 %± 3.6 8% ;同侧 :36 .6 1%± 3.14 % ,P <0 .0 1) ,出现抑制后爆发式放电。随着刺激串数的增加 ,抑制作用逐渐减弱。②同步原发性网络和单位后放电 ,以同侧CA1多见 (P<0 .0 1)。③ 90Hz或 12 0Hz原发性或继发性网络后放电仅仅累及同侧CA1。④对侧CA3基树突区网络与下托神经元单位放电出现同步继发性后放电 ,反复发作 ,持续约数小时。结论 :电刺激诱导的对侧HPC抑制后爆发式放电和长时程、反复发作的网络与单个神经元同步继发性后放电可能是跨半球癫痫网络形成的重要表现形式。     

血小板激活因子对大鼠海马脑片CA1区LTP的作用

目的:为了探讨血小板激活因子(platelet-activating factor,PAF)对大鼠海马脑片CA1区的长时程增强效应(long-term potentiation,LTP)的影响.方法:应用离体脑片电生理记录技术,记录大鼠海马CA1区的兴奋性突触后电位EPSP,研究了PAF对大鼠海马脑片CA1区的突触传递和可塑性的影响.结果:小剂量(1μmol/L)PAF可诱发大鼠海马CA1区LTP的产生;大剂量(10～50μmol/L)PAF不能诱发大鼠海马CA1区LTP的产生,且不能阻止高频电刺激(HFS,100 Hz,1 000 ms×2,每隔20 s给予)Schffer侧支引起的大鼠海马脑片CA1区LTP的形成和维持.大剂量PAF对海马CA1区基础EPSP没有影响.PAF受体拮抗剂银杏苦内酯(ginkgolide B,GB)可拮抗小剂量PAF诱发大鼠海马CA1区LTP的产生.结论:大剂量PAF具有神经毒性,可能是通过抑制海马CA1区的LTP的形成而参与艾滋病痴呆(HIV-1 associated dementia,HAD)的形成机制.     

在体大鼠海马Schaffer-CA1条件化双通路与海马组合突触可塑性

在戊巴比妥钠麻醉的Sprague-Dawley大鼠上,运用海马Schaffer-CA1双通路条件化作用(低频配对,600对脉冲,5Hz,配对刺激相应的兴奋性突触后电位峰值时间间隔为10ms)在两条Schaffer-CA1条件化通路上同时诱导出突触可塑性,呈现出海马组合突触可塑性。结果显示:不管海马Schaffer-CA1双通路独立与否,双通路条件化作用均可以同时诱导出长时程增强(long-term potentiation,LTP)和长时程抑制(long-term depression,LTD),呈现出LTP/LTD组合突触可塑性。结果表明:海马Schaffer-CA1双通路技术,可实现海马突触可塑性的双向诱导,可塑性的方向取决于突触的自身状态。由此提示,与传统的高频诱导LTP低频诱导LTD相比,在海马Schaffer-CA1双通路条件化作用诱导出的组合突触可塑性可以更好地编码海马相关的学习记忆,体现了海马突触可塑性的灵活性与稳定性。     

大鼠在体海马CA1区场电位引导新技术——刺激/记录/给药一体化装置的开发和应用

大鼠海马场电位记录是研究学习记忆的一个重要手段,尤以在体记录更具生理学意义.为克服目前在体海马场电位记录的弊端和诸多不便,提高实验效率,设计并完善了一套简便易行,融刺激、记录、给药于一体的大鼠海马在体CA1区场电位实验技术.将雄性SD大鼠麻醉后固定于脑立体定位仪上,利用自制的刺激/记录/给药联合装置,引导海马CA1区场兴奋性突触后电位(fEPSP).结果表明,使用刺激/记录/给药联合装置能长时间稳定记录由测试刺激诱发的海马CA1区fEPSP.高频刺激条件下,能成功诱导早期时相长时程增强(E-LTP)和晚期时相型长时程增强(L-LTP).海马内注射AMPA受体阻断剂CNQX(100μmol/L,1μl)可迅速抑制fEPSP,注射NMDA受体拮抗剂AP-5(100μmol/L,1μl)可明显压抑LTP,药物发挥作用的时间较侧脑室给药明显缩短,剂量减少.采用此联合装置还成功实现了PPF的稳定记录.总之,采用刺激/记录/给药一体化技术进行在体海马CA1区场电位记录的特点是简单、可靠、高效,可以为开展脑认知功能活动的电生理学研究奠定良好的基础.     

持续高频刺激改变短刺激产生的神经网络效应

不同时长的电脉冲高频刺激(high frequency stimulation,HFS)对于脑神经系统具有不同的作用.其中,数秒时长的短促HFS可通过"点燃"效应制作动物癫痫模型,也可以产生长时间保持的突触可塑性变化,而数分钟以上的长时HFS却可以安全地用于临床的深部脑刺激,治疗多种脑疾病.因此推测,持续的HFS可以改变短促刺激产生的效应.为了验证此推测,在大鼠海马CA1区的输入轴突纤维Schaffer侧支上,分别施加5 s和2 min两种时长的100 Hz HFS,并监测刺激结束后下游神经元群体对于单脉冲测试的响应电位,即群峰电位(population spike,PS).结果显示,5 s短HFS结束时会紧跟后放电痫样活动,并且,从测试脉冲诱发的PS幅值和潜伏期可见,短HFS诱导的兴奋性增强可以维持数十分钟.反之,2 min的长HFS结束时紧随之后的是数十秒无发放活动的静息期,而且,PS在数分钟内即恢复到HFS前的基线水平.这些结果表明,长时HFS的后期刺激可以改变前期短促刺激对于下游神经网络的作用,即消除短刺激可能产生的长时程兴奋效应.此发现对于深入了解高频刺激的作用机制、促进深部脑刺激的临床应用具有重要意义.     

晚时相长时程增强翻转前后大鼠海马CA1区AMPAR/GluR2的表达

晚时相长时程增强(late-phase long-term potentiation,L-LTP)对于海马长期记忆的维持具有非常重要的作用,然而L-LTP可被诱导之后的神经元活动所翻转。本实验旨在研究海马CA1区L-LTP的翻转是否有突触前机制的参与以及L-LTP翻转前后AMPARs的表达有无变化。实验采用海马脑薄片细胞外场电位记录技术,使用强直刺激(high-frequency stimulation,HFS)诱导出CA1区L-LTP,2h后用两组间隔10min的高强度的双脉冲低频刺激(high-intensity paired-pulse low frequency stimulation,HI-PP-LFS)诱导L-LTP翻转。在LTP诱导前、诱导2h后、翻转后均给予一个双脉冲刺激,观察双脉冲比值(paired-pulse ratio,PPR)的变化;另一方面,实验通过免疫荧光组织化学方法观察AMPAR/GluR2在L-LTP翻转前后海马CA1区表达的变化。结果显示,L-LTP诱导后2h,HI-PP-LFS可诱导L-LTP的部分翻转(翻转率为61.79%±14.51%)。LTP诱导前、诱导2h后、翻转后PPR均大于1,表现为双脉冲易化(paired-pulse facilitation,PPF),且三者大小顺序为:LTP诱导后LTP翻转后LTP诱导前;在海马CA1区AMPAR/GluR2亚单位的表达方面,对照组、LTP组及LTP翻转组之间没有显著差异。上述结果提示,海马CA1区L-LTP维持与翻转均有突触前机制的参与,但L-LTP诱导与翻转前后AMPAR/GluR2表达没有发生变化。     

2 Hz与100 Hz刺激在诱导大鼠视皮层长持续长时程增强中的不同作用

在哺乳动物的视皮层,多种不同参数的刺激可诱导出长时程增强(long-term potentiation,LTP)现象。但关于刺激参数与持续时间长于3h的长持续LTP(long lasting LTP,L-LTP)之间关系的研究较少。本研究用3周龄的大鼠视皮层脑片标本,在Ⅳ层刺激而在Ⅱ／Ⅲ层记录场电位,待场电位稳定后施加强直刺激诱导LTP,探讨2Hz与100Hz的强直刺激在诱发持续时间长于3h的L-LTP中的作用。结果表明,多于300个脉冲不同频率的刺激可稳定地诱导出L-LTP;2Hz与100Hz的刺激诱发的L-LTP有明显不同的表达形式,100Hz刺激可诱导出较大的L-LTP;频率相同而脉冲数不同的强直刺激诱发的L-LTP有相同的表达形式。以上结果提示,不同频率的强直刺激诱发的L-LTP机制可能不同;相同频率的刺激(脉冲数不同)诱发的L-LTP可能有相同的机制。     

Calcium signals in long-term potentiation and long-term depression

We describe postsynaptic Ca2+ signals that subserve induction of two forms of neuronal plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), in rat hippocampal neurons. The common induction protocol for LTP, a 1-s, 50-Hz tetanus, generates Ca2+ increases of about 50-Hz in dendritic spines of CA1 neurons. These very large increases, measured using a low affinity indicator (Mg fura 5), were found only in the spines and tertiary dendrites, and were dependent upon influx through N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) gated channels. High affinity Ca2+ indicators (e.g., fura 2) are unable to demonstrate these events. In acute slices, neighboring dendritic branches often showed very different responses to a tetanus, and in some instances, neighboring spines on the same dendrite responded differently. LTD in mature CA1 neurons was induced by a low frequency stimulus protocol (2 Hz, 900 pulses), in the presence of GABA- and NMDA-receptor blockers. This LTD protocol produced dendritic Ca2+ increases of <1 microM. Duration of the Ca2+ increase was approximately 30 s and was due to voltage-gated Ca2+ influx. Finally, the ability of synaptically addressed Ca2+ stores to release Ca2+ was studied in CA3 neurons and was found to require immediate preloading and high intensity presynaptic stimulation, conditions unlike normal LTP-LTD protocols.     

低频刺激后海马CA1区场兴奋性突触后电位与群体锋电位的变化

在大鼠海马脑片上使用双电极在CA1区进行细胞外记录 ,观察低频刺激 (LFS)诱发同突触长时程抑制 (LTD)时场兴奋性突触后电位 (fEPSP)的斜率 (S EPSP)和群体锋电位 (PS)的幅值 (A PS)的变化。给予 90 0脉冲 1HzLFS后 ,S EPSP和A PS降低的幅度分别是 35 4± 5 3%和 6 8 0± 7 2 % ;而给予 4 5 0脉冲 1HzLFS后 ,S EPSP和A PS分别降低 14 3± 2 3%和 36 8± 6 7%。上述两组中A PS的变化率均显著大于S EPSP (P <0 0 1) ,而 90 0脉冲数组中两个指标的变化率均大于 4 5 0脉冲数组 (P <0 0 5 )。高Mg2 + (4mmol/L)使突触的传递活动减弱 ,但不影响LTD的诱发 ,在高Mg2 + 介质中 ,LFS引起的A PS变化率仍显著大于S EPSP (P <0 0 1)。结果表明 ,由LFS诱发同突触LTD的水平不仅与LFS的脉冲数有关 ,还与评价指标的选择有关     

A novel form of synaptic plasticity in field CA3 of hippocampus requires GPER1 activation and BDNF release

Estrogen is an important modulator of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation through its rapid action on membrane-associated receptors. Here, we found that both estradiol and the G-protein–coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) specific agonist G1 rapidly induce brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) release, leading to transient stimulation of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein translation and GluA1-containing AMPA receptor internalization in field CA3 of hippocampus. We also show that type-I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation does not induce Arc translation nor long-term depression (LTD) at the mossy fiber pathway, as opposed to its effects in CA1, and it only triggers LTD after GPER1 stimulation. Furthermore, this form of mGluR-dependent LTD is associated with ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation of GluA1, and is prevented by proteasome inhibition. Overall, our study identifies a novel mechanism by which estrogen and BDNF regulate hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the adult brain.     

Impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation and failure of learning in β1,4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene transgenic mice

Gangliosides (sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids) play important roles in many physiological functions, including synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, which is considered as a cellular mechanism of learning and memory. In the present study, three types of synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP), long-term depression (LTD) and reversal of LTP (depotentiation, DP), in the field excitatory post-synaptic potential in CA1 hippocampal neurons and learning behavior were examined in β1,4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (β1,4 GalNAc-T; GM2/GD2 synthase) gene transgenic (TG) mice, which showed a marked decrease in b-pathway gangliosides (GQ1b, GT1b and GD1b) in the brain and isolated hippocampus compared with wild-type (WT) mice. The magnitude of the LTP induced by tetanus (100 pulses at 100?Hz) in TG mice was significantly smaller than that in control WT mice, whereas there was no difference in the magnitude of the LTD induced by three short trains of low-frequency stimulation (LFS) (200 pulses at 1?Hz) at 20?min intervals between the two groups of mice. The reduction in the LTP produced by delivering three trains of LFS (200 pulses at 1?Hz, 20?min intervals) was significantly greater in the TG mice than in the WT mice. Learning was impaired in the four-pellet taking test (4PTT) in TG mice, with no significant difference in daily activity or activity during the 4PTT between TG and WT mice. These results suggest that the overexpression of β1,4 GalNAc-T resulted in altered synaptic plasticity of LTP and DP in hippocampal CA1 neurons and learning in the 4PTT, and this is attributable to the shift from b-pathway gangliosides to a-pathway gangliosides.     

Unique Induction of CA1 LTP Components After Intake of Theanine, an Amino Acid in Tea Leaves and its Effect on Stress Response

Theanine, γ-glutamylethylamide, is one of the major amino acid components in green tea. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of theanine intake on long-term potentiation (LTP) induction at hippocampal CA1 synapses and exposure to acute stress. Young rats were fed water containing 0.3% theanine after birth. Key findings: Serum corticosterone level was markedly decreased by theanine intake. Because this decrease can modify synaptic plasticity, the effect of theanine intake was examined focused on CA1 LTP induction. CA1 LTP induced by a 100-Hz tetanus for 1 s was almost the same extent in hippocampal slices from theanine-administered rats, whereas that induced by a 200-Hz tetanus for 1 s was significantly attenuated. 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV), an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, significantly attenuated CA1 LTP induced by a 200-Hz tetanus in the control rats, but not in theanine-administered rats. Interestingly, APV completely blocked CA1 LTP induced by a 100-Hz tetanus in the control rats, while scarcely blocking it in theanine-administered rats. These results indicate that theanine intake reduces NMDA receptor-dependent CA1 LTP, while increasing NMDA receptor-independent CA1 LTP. Furthermore, neither 100-Hz tetanus-induced LTP nor 200-Hz tetanus-induced LTP was attenuated in theanine-administered rats after exposure to tail suspension stress, suggesting that the lack of NMDA receptor-dependent CA1 LTP by theanine intake is involved in ameliorating the attenuation of CA1 LTP after tail suspension. This study is the first to indicate that theanine intake modifies the mechanism of CA1 LTP induction.     

The effect of prior prolonged low frequency stimulation on the further synaptic plasticity at hippocampal CA1 synapses

The objective of this study is to determine the role of prior prolonged low frequency stimulation (900 pulses at 1 Hz) on the further induced long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) of synaptic activity in the rat hippocampal CA1 area. Hippocampal slices and standard extracellular field potential recording techniques were employed. LTP and LTD were induced using stimulation at 5 Hz (900 pulses) paired with or without simultaneous application of 1 microM isoproterenol respectively, at either normal CA1 synapses or CA1 synapses that were pre-conditioned with prolonged low frequency stimulation at 1 Hz. LTD could be successfully induced upon 900 pulses of stimulation given at 5 Hz at normal synapses (82.1 +/- 2.9%; n = 5); it was, however, reduced to 96.5 +/- 4.7% (n = 6) at the preconditioned synapses. When paired with application of isoproterenol, 900 pulses of stimulation given at 5 Hz produced LTP (139.9 +/- 9.6%, n = 5) at normal synapses. The magnitude of LTP is decreased to (130 +/- 13.2%) (n = 6) at pre-conditioned synapses, though the difference is not significant. These results suggest that at a given CA1 synapses the expression of LTP and LTD is dependent on their history of use.     

Inhibition of associative long-term depression by activation of β-adrenergic receptors in rat hippocampal CA1 synapses

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of β-adrenergic receptors in modulating associative long-term depression (LTD) at CA1 synapses in rat hippocampal slices. Standard extracellular electrophysiological techniques were employed to record field excitatory post-synaptic potential (fEPSP) activity and to induce associative LTD. Two independent Schaffer collateral pathways were elicited in hippocampal CA1 areas. In one (weak) pathway, the stimulating intensity was adjusted to elicit small fEPSP activity (20–30% of the maximum response). In contrast, 80–90% of the maximum response was evoked in the other (strong) pathway. Associative LTD of weak pathway could be induced by paired stimulation of weak and the strong pathways, repeated 100 times at 0.167 Hz. The associative LTD of weak pathway was NMDA receptor- and phophatase 2B dependent, because bath application of 50 μM D, L-AP5 or 10 μM cypermethrin blocked its induction. Bath application of 1 μM isoproterenol inhibited associative LTD, and this effect was blocked by timolol, suggesting the involvement of β-adrenergic receptors. The inhibitory effect of β-adrenergic receptors on LTD induction was blocked in slices pretreated with inhibitors of protein kinase A and mitogen-activated protein kinase, suggesting that these signal cascades are downstream effectors following activation of β-adrenergic receptors. Nevertheless, bath application of timolol or cypermethrin alone did not have significant effect on associative LTD induction, suggesting neither endogenous function of β-adrenergic receptor nor endogenous PKA activity does have a role in associative LTD induction.     

An investigation into signal transduction mechanisms involved in insulin-induced long-term depression in the CA1 region of the hippocampus

Recent work has demonstrated that brief application of insulin to hippocampal slices can induce a novel form of long-term depression (insulin-LTD) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus; however, the molecular details of how insulin triggers LTD remain unclear. Using electrophysiological and biochemical approaches in the hippocampal slices, we show here that insulin-LTD (i) is specific to 3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor- but not NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission; (ii) is induced and expressed postsynaptically but does not require the activation of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors; (iii) requires a concomitant Ca(2+) influx through l-type voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels (VACCs) and the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores; (iv) requires the series of protein kinases, including protein tyrosine kinase (PTK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase C (PKC); (v) is mechanistically distinct from low-frequency stimulation-induced LTD (LFS-LTD) and independent on protein phosphatase 1/2 A (PP1/2 A) and PP2B activation; (vi) is dependent on a rapamycin-sensitive local translation of dendritic mRNA, and (vii) is associated with a persistent decrease in the surface expression of GluR2 subunit. These results suggest that a PI3K/PKC-dependent insulin signaling, which controls postsynaptic surface AMPA receptor numbers through PP-independent endocytosis, may be a major expression mechanism of insulin-LTD in hippocampal CA1 neurons.     

Long-Term Depression in the Hippocampal CA1 Area of Aged Rats,Revisited: Contribution of Temporal Constraints Related to Slice Preparation

Background

The effects of low-frequency conditioning stimulation (LFS, 900 pulses at 1 Hz) of glutamatergic afferents in CA1 hippocampal area using slices from two different strains of adult (3–5 month-old) and aged (23–27 month-old) rats were reinvestigated regarding the discrepancies in the literature concerning the expression of long-term depression (LTD) in the aging brain.

Methodology/Principal Findings

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) dependent LTD was examined in both adult (n = 21) and aged (n = 22) Sprague-Dawley rats. While equivalent amounts of LTD could be obtained in both ages, there was significant variability depending upon the time between the slices were made and when they were tested. LTD was not apparent if slices were tested within 3 hours of dissection. The amount of LTD increased over the next three hours but more in adult than in aged rats. This age-related impairment was abolished by exogenous d-serine, thus reflecting the reduced activation of the NMDA-R glycine-binding site by the endogenous agonist in aged rats. Then, the amount of LTD reached asymptote at 5–7 hours following dissection. Similar temporal profiles of LTD expression were seen in young and aged Wistar rats.

Conclusions/Significance

Taken together, these results sound a cautionary note regarding the existence of an experimental “window of opportunity” for studying the effects of aging on LTD expression in hippocampal slice preparation.