Quantitative correlation between tetanus-induced decreases in extracellular calcium and LTP

Brain Res. 1988 Jun 28;454(1-2):1-10. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(88)90798-6.

Abstract

Decreases in the extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]o), induced by tetanization of the Schaffer collaterals in rat hippocampal slices, were measured by means of Ca2+-sensitive microelectrodes. The amount of long term potentiation (LTP) of the evoked field potentials, induced by this tetanus, was determined. A positive correlation was found between the amplitude of the tetanus induced decrease in [Ca2+]o and the amount of LTP that was elicited. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist 2-amino-phosphonovalerate decreased both the tetanus-induced decreases in [Ca2+]o and the amount of LTP that was induced. We conclude that the amount of Ca2+ that enters the cell during a tetanus is of major importance in the induction process of LTP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate
  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Aspartic Acid / pharmacology
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium / physiology*
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / drug effects
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / physiology*
  • Valine / analogs & derivatives
  • Valine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • Aspartic Acid
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate
  • Valine
  • Calcium