SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY AND LEARNING AND MEMORY - 15 YEARS OF PROGRESS

Much has been learned over the past 15 years about the mechanisms of s ynaptic plasticity and their relationships to learning and memory proc esses. Some of the questions raised 15 years ago have been answered wh ile others still remain elusive. This brief review attempts to evaluat e the progress accomplished in this field and discusses four specific issues: (i) the relationships between mechanisms of synaptic plasticit y and memory types, (ii) the relationships between stabilization of sy naptic modifications and memory consolidation, (iii) the links between gene regulation and regulation of synaptic efficacy, and (iv) the rel ationships between synaptic dynamics and synaptic plasticity. Although it is relatively easy to identify areas in which progress has been ma de, it is also clear that many areas remain highly controversial and w ill keep neuroscientists busy for years to come. (C) 1998 Academic Pre ss.