FUCOSE AND FUCOSYLLACTOSE ENHANCE IN-VITRO HIPPOCAMPAL LONG-TERM POTENTIATION

Bath application of L-fucose and 2-fucosyllactose (2Fl) increases the potentiation of the population spike amplitude (POP-spike) and the fie ld excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) after tetanization of the Schaffer collaterals of the rat hippocampus. The ineffective isomers D-fucose and 3-fucosyllactose (3-Fl) have no such effect. Since not on ly the maintenance of long-term potentiation LTP is influenced but als o its induction is drastically improved, an effect of the sugars via t he formation of glycoproteins but also via different actions on induct ion mechanisms is discussed.