Synaptic plasticity
Synaptic Plasticity
Synaptic plasticity (pronunciation: sih-NAP-tik plas-TISS-ih-tee) is a fundamental concept in neuroscience that describes the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time, in response to increases or decreases in their activity.
Etymology
The term "synaptic plasticity" is derived from the Greek words "synapsis" (meaning "junction") and "plastikos" (meaning "moldable"). This reflects the concept's focus on the adaptability and changeability of the connections between neurons.
Definition
Synaptic plasticity is the ability of the connection, or synapse, between two neurons to change in strength in response to either an increase or decrease in activity. This is thought to be the cellular basis for learning and memory.
Types of Synaptic Plasticity
There are two main types of synaptic plasticity: Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) and Long-Term Depression (LTD).
- Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) is a long-lasting increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation of a synapse.
- Long-Term Depression (LTD) is a long-lasting decrease in synaptic strength following low-frequency stimulation of a synapse.
Role in Learning and Memory
Synaptic plasticity is considered to be the major cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory. The strengthening or weakening of synapses is thought to contribute to the storage of memory in the brain, with LTP often associated with the learning of new information and LTD with the forgetting of old information.
Related Terms
- Neuron - A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
- Synapse - The junction between two neurons where information is transmitted from one to the other.
- Neurotransmitter - A chemical substance that is released at the end of a nerve fiber by the arrival of a nerve impulse and, by diffusing across the synapse, causes the transfer of the impulse to another nerve fiber.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Synaptic plasticity
- Wikipedia's article - Synaptic plasticity
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