Synaptic plasticity and calcium dynamics in cerebellar Purkinje neurons

A. Konnerth, J. Eilers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Use-dependent synaptic plasticity of cerebellar Purkinje neurons is characterized by a long-lasting depression of the parallel fiber-mediated excitatory synaptic responses and a long-lasting potentiation of inhibitory synaptic responses. Both forms of synaptic plasticity require a transient increase of the postsynaptic Ca2+-concentration which is produced, in general, by climbing fiber activity. The mechanisms underlying this Ca2+-transient were investigated in cerebellar slices by combining whole-cell patch-clamp techniques with fluorometric Ca2+-imaging. The results of several studies demonstrate that activation of dendritic and, possibly, somatic P-type voltage-gated Ca2+-channels, but not permeation of Ca2+ through glutamate-gated receptor channels trigger both forms of synaptic plasticity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)73-77
Number of pages5
JournalBiomedical Research
Volume15
Issue numberSUPPL. 1
StatePublished - 1994
Externally publishedYes

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