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Can homeostatic circuits learn and remember?
Author(s) -
Gordon Grant R. J.,
Bains Jaideep S.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2006.110270
Subject(s) - neuroscience , metaplasticity , glutamatergic , synaptic plasticity , long term potentiation , postsynaptic potential , neuronal circuits , homeostatic plasticity , neuronal memory allocation , biology , psychology , excitatory postsynaptic potential , glutamate receptor , synaptic fatigue , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , biochemistry , receptor
Alterations in synaptic strength are thought to represent the cellular basis of learning and memory. While such processes appear to be fundamental to all synapses, until recently there has been a relative dearth of information regarding synaptic ‘memory’ processes in autonomic circuits. Here we examine recent advances in our understanding of plasticity at glutamatergic synapses onto magnocellular neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus, paying particular attention to the contributions of noradrenaline in coding long‐lasting pre‐ and postsynaptic changes in efficacy. We also highlight recent work demonstrating that glial cells play a crucial role in the induction of long‐term potentiation. Based on the work reviewed here, we have a clearer picture of the synaptic and cellular mechanisms that allow autonomic pathways to learn and remember.