MODEL FOR LONG-TERM POTENTIATION AND DEPRESSION

A computational model of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term de pression (LTD) in the hippocampus is presented. The model assumes the existence of retrograde signals, is in good agreement with several exp erimental data on LTP, LTD, and their pharmacological manipulations, a nd shows how a simple kinetic scheme can capture the essential charact eristics of the processes involved in LTP and LTD. We propose that LTP and LTD could be two different but conceptually similar processes, in duced by the same class of retrograde signals, and maintained by two d istinct mechanisms. An interpretation of a number of experiments in te rms of the molecular processes involved in LTP and LTD induction and m aintenance, and the roles of a retrograde signal are presented and dis cussed.