Low frequency (1 Hz) stimulation of the perforant path produces a depr
ession in the population spike (PS) of dentate granule cell field pote
ntials and also may affect the strength of paired pulse depression. Th
e effects of 1 Hz stimulation (30 s train) on paired pulse depression
(20 and 200 ms interpulse intervals, IPI) were evaluated in the unanes
thetized rat under two conditions: (i) when the stimulus intensity of
both pulses was increased simultaneously (5-100%); and (ii) when the s
timulus intensity of the first (conditioning) pulse was increased (5-1
00%), while the stimulus intensity of the second (test) pulse was held
constant (50%). The test PS amplitude was predicted based upon either
the conditioning PS amplitude at the end of the 1 Hz train or upon th
e additive effects of paired pulse depression and I Hz stimulation. Th
ese predicted values then were assessed for the best fit to observed v
alues following 1 Hz trains. Under both stimulus conditions, the 1 Hz
depression in the conditioning PS amplitude exhibited characteristics
that were identical to late paired pulse depression recorded before th
e train. A decrease in the test PS amplitude also was observed followi
ng 1 Hz stimulation at the 20 and 200 ms IPIs. The best fit to observe
d values of the test PS at the end of 1 Hz trains was provided by esti
mates based upon the additive effects of 1 Hz stimulation and paired p
ulse depression. These results indicate that the strength of paired pu
lse depression in the unanesthetized rat is unchanged following 1 Hz s
timulation, and further, that the 1 Hz depression in dentate granule c
ell field potentials most likely reflects the cumulative influence of
late paired pulse depression.