A ROLE FOR BDNF IN THE LATE-PHASE OF HIPPOCAMPAL LONG-TERM POTENTIATION

The neurotrophin family of growth factors has received enormous attent ion recently for its role in modulating synaptic strength in the devel oping and adult nervous system. Several recent studies have indicated a role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in long-term poten tiation (LTP), a form of long-lasting plasticity observed at synapses in the hippocampus and other brain areas. The late-phase (L-LTP; e.g. > 2 h) of LTP has been shown to require the synthesis of new proteins. We have examined whether BDNF or other TrkB ligands participate in L- LTP in two ways: by examining transgenic mice which lack BDNF or by ac utely blocking TrkB function using function-blocking antibodies. Slice s from BDNF knock-out animals or slices treated with TrkB antibodies f ailed to exhibit L-LTP, indicating that TrkB Ligands participate in ex tending synaptic enhancement from a short-lasting to a long-lasting fo rm. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.