Project Details
Description
In the mammalian CANS, the probability that an action potential will
trigger neurotransmitter release (P1) varies widely form synapse to
synapse. The aim of this research is to ascertain the mechanisms
underlying the differences in release probability between synaptic
terminals. The basis of functional presynaptic heterogeneity will be
studied by comparing lateral (facilitating; low P) and medial (non-
facilitating ; high P) perforant path synapses using whole-cell recording
of synaptic responses in hippocampal slices, optical recording of
presynaptic calcium transients, and electron microscopy. The main
hypothesis to be tested are that differences in calcium influx and the
number of docked vesicles underlie the different release properties of
lateral perforant path terminals .
the specific aims are:
1. To quantify the probability or release at lateral and medial
perforant path synapses, and determine if a difference n release
probability along can account for the difference in paired-pulse
plasticity.
2. To determine if the difference in the probability of relate sat
lateral and medial perforant path synapses results from a difference in
presynaptic calcium influx.
3. To determine if the difference in the probability of release at
lateral and medial perforant path synapses results from a difference in
a number of docked vesicles.
These experiments will provide information about the mechanisms that
dictate function at excitatory presynaptic terminals in the adults CANS.
These mechanisms are likely to be critically important for normal
information processing, and may be altered during plastic changes that
accompany information storage and pathological processes.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 4/1/97 → 1/31/08 |
Funding
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
ASJC
- Medicine(all)
- Neuroscience(all)
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