ROLE OF GLUTAMATE METABOTROPIC RECEPTORS IN LONG-TERM POTENTIATION INTHE HIPPOCAMPUS

Glutamate metabotropic receptors (mGluRs) are heterogenous G-protein-l inked receptors widely distributed in the central nervous system. Thes e receptors, which are coupled to several second messengers, modulate voltage-gated and receptor-operated channels and play an important rob in synaptic plasticity, notably in the modulation of long-term potent iation (LTP). In this review we briefly describe the different electro physiological effects of mGluRs and discuss the two models which have been proposed in the literature to underline the role of mGluRs in LTP .